Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes worrying admission amid failed title defence
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has admitted this has been his toughest season as a manager “by a mile” amid a grueling campaign for the Reds.
After defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, Liverpool are now sixth in the Premier League – four points off fifth-placed Chelsea and in no form at all.
Seventh-placed Brentford are level on points with the Reds with just a goal separating them.
In seven Premier League matches, Slot’s side have won just once – a 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle – but that has been stunted by draws to Fulham, Leeds, Burnley and Arsenal, as well as a damaging last-minute defeat to Bournemouth.
Arne Slot has seen his side win just one Premier League match in seven
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REUTERS
When asked if this is his most difficult season, Slot answered: “By a mile. All the other seasons I have managed, there was only positives.
“I don’t think I have ever lost two games in a row [until now]. It’s an exception for me, I am not used to it.
“I don’t think we feel we’ve only lost two of our last 17. A draw feels like a loss.
“The players know what the standards of Liverpool mean and we aren’t performing to those standards. They feel that disappointment.”
After a torrid run of form earlier in the season that Slot survived, Liverpool find themselves in the rot again and there are genuine fears they will not qualify for the Champions League.
Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title last season, having replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager, but have failed to repeat their jaw-dropping form of last season.
Liverpool have been inconsistent in the Premier League this season | PA
That is despite some hefty purchases including £125million on Alexander Isak, £80m on Hugo Ekitike and £116m on Florian Wirtz.
Slot added: “If we don’t have Champions League football [next season], it’s definitely not been an acceptable season.
“When I arrived here and only signed Federico Chiesa, it was after a Europa League season.
“That does have an enormous impact on the way this club is run. I am completely aware of that.”
Liverpool take on Sunderland on Wednesday evening, who are unbeaten in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light.
Arne Slot has come under pressure this season amid Liverpool’s inconsistent form | REUTERS
They go into the contest without a right-back, with even auxillary option Dominik Szoboszlai missing through suspension after a controversial red card against City.
Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are all out injured, meaning there could be a start for Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo at right-back.
