Liverpool manager Arne Slot has issued a defiant message, vowing his team will 'keep fighting no matter how difficult' the situation becomes, as the club navigates its most severe crisis in over a century.
A Startling Slump in Form
The Reds are in the midst of a staggering collapse, having lost nine of their last twelve matches across all competitions. This dismal run represents the club's worst sequence of results since way back in 1904.
The most recent blow was a demoralising 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday night. This marked the third consecutive match where Liverpool conceded three or more goals, heaping immense pressure on the Dutch manager.
Pressure Mounts on the Manager
The dramatic downturn in fortunes has sparked intense speculation about Arne Slot's future at Anfield. This is a stark contrast to the scene just six months ago, when he led the team to a Premier League title triumph.
Ahead of this weekend's crucial Premier League clash with West Ham, Slot was directly questioned about whether he had discussed his position with the club's owners following the PSV debacle.
He confirmed the conversations had taken place but stated, "We've had the same conversations that we've had since I'm here. We fight on, and we try to improve, that's what we all try but the conversations have been the same as they've been for the past one-and-a-half years."
Identifying the Problems
Slot then attempted to diagnose the issues plaguing his side. He admitted it was not a simple task, explaining that reflection and analysis intensify during a losing streak.
"You try to find the answer to what is needed to win a game of football and in the end it's about doing what this club is about," Slot said. "Keep fighting, no matter how difficult it is."
He pointed to a critical flaw in the team's performances: a failure to capitalise on their own good play. "It would also be nice if we would reward ourselves in the moments we play well," he noted. "People are very focused on the parts we don't play well but there are definitely large parts of the games where we do play well and we create a lot of chances."
According to Slot, the team's core issues are:
- Not converting the numerous chances they create.
- Conceding goals immediately after making small errors.
He described this combination as a "very bad cocktail" that is incredibly difficult for any team to overcome.
The Weight of Expectation
The Liverpool boss also acknowledged the unique pressure that comes with a bad run at a top club. "There is a lot of pressure if you work or play at a top club, and even more so if you start losing more games than this club, or these players, or this manager is used to," he stated.
He sympathised with his players, who are suffering "knock-after-knock-after-knock," making it exceptionally challenging to build any momentum. Despite this, Slot emphasised that the minimum requirement, inherited from the club's long history, is to never stop fighting.
All eyes will now be on Anfield this Sunday to see if Liverpool can finally halt their slide and reward their manager's steadfast belief.
