Liverpool manager Arne Slot is facing intense scrutiny after a disastrous weekend that saw his team thrashed 3-0 at home by Nottingham Forest, followed by his absence from a major awards ceremony.
A Weekend to Forget for The Reds
The crisis at Anfield deepened on Saturday as Liverpool suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. This marked their second consecutive Premier League loss, leaving the team languishing in 11th position in the standings, a staggering 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
The match saw Murillo open the scoring for Forest in the 33rd minute after a VAR review confirmed the goal. Despite a disallowed effort from Igor Jesus for handball, Forest doubled their lead shortly after half-time through Nicolo Savona. Morgan Gibbs-White sealed the comprehensive victory for Sean Dyche's side just over ten minutes from full-time.
Slot's No-Show at Awards Ceremony
In the aftermath of the defeat, Slot made the controversial decision to skip the Northern Football Writers' Association manager of the year award ceremony on Sunday. The Dutchman had won the honour for his achievements last season.
Instead, Gary McAllister, the club ambassador, received a last-minute call to accept the award on Slot's behalf. The call came halfway through Leeds United's Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at Elland Road, which Slot was reportedly watching.
McAllister conveyed Slot's apologies to the audience, sharing a brief message that the 47-year-old manager was 'extremely proud' to receive the recognition.
Manager Takes Responsibility Amid Growing Pressure
Speaking after the Forest match, Slot did not shy away from the team's poor performance. 'It was very bad, of course,' he admitted during his post-match press conference. 'Playing at home, losing 3-0, no matter which team you face, is of course a very, very, very bad result.'
Despite acknowledging a strong start where Liverpool created numerous chances, Slot highlighted the team's failure to convert opportunities. 'It's my responsibility. Win or lose, it's my responsibility,' he stated, while also praising the continued support from fans and the players' efforts until the final whistle.
The statistics paint a bleak picture for Liverpool, with just one win from their last five outings in the English top flight. As the international break begins, Slot faces a significant challenge to reverse his team's fortunes and address their alarming slump in form.
