Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been told to "keep fighting" and ignore external noise about his job security as the club endures what can only be described as a disastrous run of form.
Pressure Mounts at Anfield
The Premier League champions have suffered nine defeats in their last twelve matches, with two particularly embarrassing losses at Anfield this week against Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven pushing some frustrated fans to call for the Dutchman's dismissal.
However, Daily Mail Sport reported on Thursday morning that Slot retains the full support of Liverpool's hierarchy, according to sources close to both the club and the manager himself.
When questioned about whether he had spoken with senior officials following the 4-1 defeat to Dutch champions PSV, Slot responded: "We've had the same conversations since I've been here."
"I'm not sure if I said it last night, but we keep fighting, we try to improve, that's what we all try to do," he insisted. "But the conversations have been the same as in the last year and a half."
Slot's Determination to Turn Tide
The Liverpool boss remains adamant that his team must display the necessary fighting spirit to reverse their fortunes, particularly with a crucial trip to London to face West Ham looming on Sunday.
"In the first 85 minutes (against PSV), or for large parts of the game, I saw a team that has had many setbacks lately and was still able to fight against that," Slot added.
He acknowledged that determination alone isn't sufficient, stating: "Not always with the end product one would like, because fighting is, of course, part of what one must do. But if a fight alone were enough to win a football match, then it would be quite easy."
"Something more is also needed - quality in one-on-one situations, crosses into the box, and arriving at the right moment. But I see a team that never gives up. I see the running statistics, I see it in the chances we create after going behind, but I agree that the last five or ten minutes against Forest and the last five or ten minutes of yesterday's match were not the same as the other minutes we played."
Slot concluded: "For me, it's not that this team lacks fighting spirit, no. Perhaps in the last minutes, but not in the rest of the match."
Team News Ahead of West Ham Clash
Slot held his pre-match press conference at the unusual time of Thursday afternoon because Liverpool players don't train on Fridays, though they will undertake recovery work and a session on Saturday before travelling to London.
The manager faces calls to make personnel changes and should be boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, who missed the PSV defeat through illness. The Brazilian trained on Thursday.
Florian Wirtz, who has missed the last two matches, is hoped to be able to train on Saturday, while Hugo Ekitike's injury - withdrawn with back problems - isn't serious. He remains a doubt for Sunday but has a chance of featuring.
