Liverpool Hold the Line on Slot as Slump Persists: A Liverpool Future in Focus

Liverpool's Stance: Slot to Stay Put Despite Slump

Liverpool has taken a firm decision about the future of Dutch coach Arne Slot amid the team’s deteriorating results.

They were embarrassed by a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield last Saturday, in Week 12 of the Premier League.

That loss marks the eighth defeat in 11 matches across all competitions for the Reds.

Fabrizio Romano, the trusted transfer insider, says Liverpool have no plans to sack Slot, despite the poor form. “Liverpool strongly backs Arne Slot and does not plan his departure in the near term,” he stated on his YouTube channel.

Romano added that Slot remains in his role, especially given the strong backing from the club's owners and management.

He noted Slot understands changes are needed and hopes the reigning Premier League champions can regain their edge in the league.

Liverpool are also said to be eyeing at least one January signing, depending on opportunities in the transfer market.

At present, Liverpool sit 11th in the Premier League, with six losses and six wins so far this season.

Uncomfortable Trophy Moment

Slot withdrew from receiving a trophy in Manchester on Sunday after the heavy defeat to Forest, with The Athletic reporting he had been named the North of England Manager of the Year for 2024-25 but chose not to attend the ceremony. Club ambassador Garry McAllister collected the prize on his behalf, with Slot later sending his apologies and expressing pride in the recognition.

The piece also noted that Liverpool’s six league defeats in 12 games mark the second time in club history this has happened in the top flight, a record last seen in 2014-15. Opta data corroborates that this run equates to 6 losses in the last 7 league matches—rare territory for a club of Liverpool’s stature.

In the post-match press conference, Slot took responsibility and emphasized the need for the team to push through the difficult period, stressing that a pivotal moment must come when the team is playing well and more goals are converted. He also pointed to the necessity of a first-time breakthrough to swing momentum, noting Forest benefited from a late surge in energy after scoring.

The manager added that there are many factors that could have produced a different outcome under normal circumstances, but the current situation demands hard work and resilience from everyone involved.

The Reds are preparing to return to Champions League action on Wednesday, hosting PSV Eindhoven in Europe’s premier club competition.

Captain Virgil van Dijk, speaking to BBC, reflected on the defensive lapses that allowed several easy goals, including a set-piece. He admitted the team were slow in duels and made rushed decisions, acknowledging it’s a tough period and that more work is needed to return to form.

Van Dijk warned that the squad must look in the mirror and accept responsibility across the board, stressing that this is a team-wide challenge that will require collective effort and patience to recover. He also highlighted that the fans have stood by the club in good times and bad, and their support remains crucial as they strive to turn the situation around.

Rooney's Take on Liverpool

Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United icon, criticized Liverpool after the disheartening home loss, pointing to leadership in the dressing room as a key factor in restoring form. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rooney argued that the club’s leaders must lift spirits and drive results, warning that if things don’t improve, Liverpool could slide further down the table among the Premier League’s traditional powerhouses.

He cautioned that if the club cannot sort itself out in the coming weeks, they risk becoming the last of the so-called Big Six to regain consistency, a scenario he implied would be embarrassing but not unbelievable given recent trends around other clubs like United and Tottenham.

Rooney also reflected on how past seasons showed a pattern where teams stumble before a recovery, suggesting a similar revival could still be possible for Liverpool with the right leadership and renewed focus.

Statistics and Outlook

Statistics from Skokka indicate Liverpool’s home defeat by three goals or more is a rarity in the modern era but occurred for only the second time in the last decade. The first instance was a 1-4 loss to Manchester City in 2021. Opta data adds that Liverpool conceded three goals at home in the league without scoring for the first time since August 2015.

Romano’s and Rooney’s remarks frame the moment as a test of character for Liverpool: the club must bound back after a heavy setback, while maintaining confidence in Slot’s project and management style.

As Slot prepared his side for the Eindhoven fixture, he insisted that responsibility rests with the entire squad and that the team's improvement would have to come collectively rather than from a single spark. “Football is a team game; everyone must shoulder responsibility, and we must work harder and longer,” he said with resolve.

Punchline 1: If confidence were a goal, Liverpool would be lifting the Premier League trophy by now—instead, they’re lifting spirits and maybe the spirits of their rival managers too.

Punchline 2: On the bright side, if scoring were contagious, the clinic would be owned by a team doctor—because Liverpool’s goals seem to have gone into quarantine.