Arne Slot has vowed to find a solution to Liverpool's current slump, offering no excuses after a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. The loss marks the sixth defeat in their last seven Premier League matches, leaving the reigning champions languishing in 11th place, eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
The Anfield defeat saw goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona, and Morgan Gibbs-White, compounding Liverpool's misery. This equals their worst-ever home loss in Premier League history. It's the first time since April 1965 that Liverpool have lost back-to-back league games by a margin of three or more goals.
Slot took full responsibility for the team's poor performance. "I want to emphasise I am responsible for the current losses," he stated. "You are responsible when you are winning but also responsible when you are losing. I can never come up with enough excuses for us to have the results we have. That is far from good enough and I am responsible for that". He acknowledged the severity of the situation, describing the loss as "very, very bad" regardless of the opponent.
Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, echoed Slot's sentiments, admitting the team wasn't good enough in "battles, the challenges, the second-ball fight". He also pointed to the ease with which they are conceding goals.
The team's recent form is a stark contrast to their dominant title-winning season last year. The Reds have suffered eight defeats in their last 11 matches across all competitions. This collapse comes after a summer spending spree of nearly £450 million on new players, a move that was expected to bring further silverware to Anfield. Record signing Alexander Isak is yet to score a league goal for the club.
Several factors have been attributed to Liverpool's struggles. Injuries to key players, including Alisson, have weakened the defense. The underperformance of the rearguard is glaring, with only two clean sheets recorded this season. New signings have also struggled to settle in. Alexis Mac Allister, has been unable to rediscover his form following injury issues.
Despite the setbacks, Slot remains determined to turn things around. "Of course there is a way out, especially with the quality players we have," he asserted. He also alluded to tactical adjustments made during the game, explaining his substitution of Konate for Gravenberch as a tactical decision aimed at injecting more attacking impetus.
The pressure is mounting on Slot, with some questioning his ability to reverse Liverpool's fortunes. However, pundit Jamie Redknapp has urged for patience, emphasizing Slot's achievements last season. Redknapp acknowledged that the loss of Diogo Jota, coupled with the new signings' struggles, have contributed to the team's woes.
Liverpool now faces a crucial period, with a Champions League fixture and a series of Premier League games on the horizon. The team needs to address their defensive vulnerabilities, improve the integration of new players, and rediscover their confidence in front of goal. Slot's ability to navigate this challenging period will be crucial in determining Liverpool's trajectory this season.
