Perplexity, uncertainty, lack of self-confidence: Liverpool FC has been in deep crisis since the 4-1 home defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. But now things could also get tight for master trainer Arne Slot.
It was clear from early on that it could be a difficult evening for captain Virgil van Dijk. Even before his mistake in the 5th minute, when he somewhat stupidly caused a hand penalty, van Dijk gestured with a dissatisfied expression, letting his teammates and especially goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili know what he thought they should do differently in the build-up to the game.
Van Dijk didn’t look happier at the end of the game – and unsurprisingly after his Liverpool team lost 4-1 at home to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. The result was certainly one or two goals too high, but Liverpool had some good moments of their own. And yet it was clear that evening: Liverpool FC is currently off its game.
English press verdict: “Pathetic”
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The reactions of the English press were correspondingly harsh. The Sun saw last year’s English champions as “pathetic”. “miserable Form” continue. The “Daily Telegraph” classified the new defeat as “more than a crisis” a. “Slot seems overwhelmed”said the “Times” and took aim at coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool have suffered nine defeats in the last twelve games – it’s an almost unbelievably weak statistic for a club that strengthened an already extremely strong team in the summer for over 450 million euros. Among others, Alexander Isak (145 million), Florian Wirtz (125 million) and Hugo Ekitiké (95 million) came. However, the expensive new offensive additions are of little help in terms of play.
Does Slot have to worry about his job?
No wonder that things are now getting uncomfortable for the man on the sidelines. So far, sporting director Richard Hughes has expressed his support for his coach. But they won’t be able or willing to ignore the laws of football for long in Liverpool – the slap against Eindhoven is likely to make the Dutchman’s chair shake considerably.
“I have a lot of support from the club management”said Slot at the press conference after the Eindhoven debacle. “It’s not the first time I’ve been in a difficult situation. I feel the trust.”
Liverpool’s search for the explanations
Against Eindhoven, Slot looked on the sidelines with worry lines at the action in front of him, watching almost in disbelief as his highly gifted players collectively failed to reach their performance level. Slot had explanations for the defeat ready after the game: the exploitation of opportunities appealed to Slot, a lack of aggressiveness after the goals conceded, his own mistakes that had serious consequences.
Weak game against Eindhoven: Liverpool star Mo Salah
The 47-year-old made understandable points: Liverpool actually didn’t make enough of their chances and allowed Eindhoven to score goals far too easily. Slot could no longer explain why the clearly favored LFC appeared so unsettled. “It’s a shock for everyone. Is it a lack of confidence? I didn’t see that. I saw the mentality of my team. We came back and created chances after going behind.”
Slot: “I have to do better”
Here too, Slot was right with his analysis, but he also made it a little too easy for himself: the opportunities his team created were not big enough considering the quality of their players – and were too rare. In Wirtz’s absence (muscle injury), there was too little rebellion overall. And so Slot also knows that his team has to play better and also admitted that “I have to do better“.
Given the performance of his team, it is doubtful whether he will get the chance at West Ham at the weekend (Sunday, 3:05 p.m.). And if he does, Slot will be closely watched in his every action. Van Dijk and his coach need to find more reasons to smile very quickly.
