Arne Slott is at a key point in his Liverpool career. The Dutchman is currently on his worst run since taking over as Reds manager, losing six of his last seven league games. This poor performance has seen the reigning champions plummet to 12th place in the Premier League, 11 points behind current leaders Arsenal. They suffered another defeat in the Champions League, losing 1-4 to PSV.
Criticism has been directed not only at players such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, but also at Slott himself. Many have suggested that his position as head coach is under serious threat. Just a few months ago, the idea of Slott leaving seemed unthinkable, especially after the Reds clinched their second league championship in five years. But if its current form holds, this could become a reality.
As we approach a busy winter period that could decide Slott’s future at Anfield, Express Sport brings you all the latest news from the club…
Deadline set on slot
Liverpool’s Premier League title now seems like a distant memory, given the team’s recent decline. There were reportedly talks about a contract extension with Slott earlier this season, but those talks have since been put on hold.
Any club would be concerned about a losing streak like the one Slott is currently enduring, but such a pattern is simply not acceptable at Liverpool. Former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann says Slott must win his next two games or risk becoming the first Liverpool manager to be sacked in more than a decade.
Speaking about the slot situation on talkSPORT, the former Germany international said: “I don’t think anyone wants to see him leave because of what happened last season. Obviously, things are very bad at the moment. I think what we want to see as a club is progress. The next two games will show that.”
“Alan[Brazil]just said that we have to win both games. I agree because we don’t need to talk about titles right now. Arsenal look very strong, but Chelsea seem to be the only favorites at the moment. I think they[Liverpool]are fighting to be in the top four. If they don’t make progress in the Premier League, I think his time will be over like all the other players.”
Isaac and Wirtz’s Concerns
A significant shortcoming of Slott’s tenure so far has been that he has struggled to integrate new recruits into Liverpool’s league-winning team. Despite heavy investment this summer, mainly in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, the two big-ticket signings have yet to find a rhythm in the Dutchman’s tactical set-up.
The pair only started in one game, a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and failed to score and provided just one assist in 16 appearances in all competitions.
Former England international and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has warned that it could take “months” to integrate new players into the squad given Slott’s current poor form.
On the “No Tippy Tappy Football” podcast, he wondered, “Does this mean there are too many transitions in one season?”
“Last year it was the opposite, we only had one player signed so everyone thought we had no chance of winning the league, but Arne Slott came in with a team that was familiar with themselves and knew themselves well, and he took it on brilliantly.
“It’s a period of transition and he obviously wants the transition to happen. “The amount of money available to Liverpool based on what they’ve built over the years, especially after only signing one player last year, means there’s a big pot out there and they’ve signed quality players and entered the market.
“It’s difficult to integrate new players, but it’s very difficult to integrate many players. It’s going to take months. It’s not an overnight situation to find out how the players work together.”
“The players who are there at the moment are looking at new players and football players are very good at not blaming themselves. It’s up to Arne Slott to deal with the most difficult period that he’s going to go through.”
