Liverpool boss Arne Slot faces tough challenges this season
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has acknowledged that this has been his most challenging season “by a mile” amid a difficult campaign for the Reds, reports BritPanorama.
Following a defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, Liverpool currently sits sixth in the Premier League, trailing fifth-placed Chelsea by four points and struggling for form. Seventh-placed Brentford is level on points with the Reds, with just a goal separating them.
In their seven Premier League matches, Slot’s team has secured only one victory—a 4-1 triumph against Newcastle. However, this success has been overshadowed by draws against Fulham, Leeds, Burnley, and Arsenal, as well as a damaging last-minute defeat to Bournemouth.
When reflecting on whether this season is indeed his most difficult, Slot remarked, “By a mile. All the other seasons I have managed, there was only positives.” He noted the frustration of losing two consecutive matches, an experience he found unusual. “A draw feels like a loss,” he added, underscoring the disappointment felt by the squad.
Despite surviving a poor run of form earlier in the season, concerns are mounting that Liverpool may not secure Champions League qualification. Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title last season after taking over from Jürgen Klopp, has seen his side fail to replicate their previous success.
Major investments have been made, including £125 million on Alexander Isak, £80 million on Hugo Ekitike, and £116 million on Florian Wirtz. Slot emphasised the stakes of qualifying for the Champions League, stating, “If we don’t have Champions League football [next season], it’s definitely not been an acceptable season.”
Liverpool’s upcoming fixture is against Sunderland, who remain unbeaten at the Stadium of Light. The team will face this challenge without a right-back, as auxiliary option Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended following a contentious red card against City. Injuries to Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Joe Gomez also leave the squad in a precarious position, potentially allowing for a start for either Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo at right-back.
In these turbulent times, the spotlight shines on Slot as he endeavours to steer Liverpool back on course, reminding fans and critics alike how quickly fortunes can shift in football.
