The pressure is mounting dramatically at Anfield as Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces the most critical period of his tenure. The Dutch coach is navigating the worst run of his managerial career, with the reigning Premier League champions having suffered six defeats in their last seven league matches.
Do-or-die situation for under-fire manager
This alarming slump in form has seen Liverpool plummet to 12th place in the table, leaving them a staggering 11 points behind leaders Arsenal. The situation has become so dire that former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has publicly stated that Slot must win his next two games or risk becoming the first Reds manager to be sacked in over a decade.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Hamann delivered his stark assessment: "I don't think anybody wants to see him leave because of what he's done last season. Obviously, the run of form is very bad at the moment. I think what you want to see as a club is progress. The next two games will be telling."
He added: "Alan [Brazil] just said they've got to win both games, I agree because we don't need to talk about the title now. If you don't see progress in the Premier League, I think his time will come to an end."
New signings failing to deliver
Compounding Slot's problems has been the disappointing integration of Liverpool's major summer signings. The club invested heavily, particularly in attackers Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, but the pair have struggled to adapt to Slot's system.
The statistics make for grim reading: the two players have started just one Premier League game together - the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace - and have managed only one assist and no goals between them in their combined 16 league appearances this season.
Former England manager Sam Allardyce has suggested that bedding in multiple new players simultaneously is proving problematic. Speaking on the 'No Tippy Tappy Football' podcast, Allardyce explained: "The integration of a new player is difficult, but the integration of many players is very, very difficult. It will take months. This is not an overnight situation."
From champions to crisis
Liverpool's current predicament represents a dramatic fall from grace for a club that secured their second league title in five years just last season. The contrast in fortunes is so stark that early-season discussions about extending Slot's contract have reportedly been put on hold indefinitely.
As Liverpool enter a busy winter period that could define Slot's future at the club, the Dutchman faces the toughest challenge of his managerial career. With key signings failing to fire and results deteriorating rapidly, the next fortnight could prove decisive for the under-pressure manager's Anfield career.
