Arne Slot Exposes Liverpool Board's Shocking Response to Seven-Decade Drought
Liverpool boss Arne Slot disclosed that the club's leadership holds the same view as he does regarding their current disastrous streak of results.
The reigning Premier League titleholders are in complete collapse. A painfully weak 3–0 Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace during the week marked Liverpool's fifth consecutive defeat against English teams, representing their worst stretch of domestic performances since 1953. That season concluded with them in the relegation zone.
Slot, who experienced such a smooth transition to Merseyside life last term, has been visibly shaken by this series of disappointments. There have been sharp criticisms about opponents' tactical approaches, officiating grievances and, following Wednesday's cup match, Slot even questioned his own team's squad depth—or the absence of it.
The Dutch manager quickly backtracked from that specific line of inquiry, returning instead to the recurring topics: Liverpool's difficulties with aerial balls, dead ball situations and a significantly altered group of players.
With unfounded speculation swirling about his possible dismissal, Slot was asked about Liverpool's board's response to this 72-year low point. "They express similar views," he confirmed.
"I communicate primarily with Richard [Hughes, sporting director] and occasionally with the others. They also observe similar issues to what I notice. For me the discussions haven't altered significantly. We consistently analyze the match and it's always more pleasant to discuss the game following a victory rather than a defeat."
As Slot's team prepared for Saturday night's encounter with a confident Aston Villa, the Premier League winner once again displayed some tension. "I could present five or six explanations for why we're not winning as frequently or losing as often as we are but, as I mention repeatedly, there are never sufficient justifications to experience a period like we're having now," he stated firmly.
"Regardless of whether I could offer 200 explanations, when you represent Liverpool you cannot lose—in my opinion—five out of six, but the truth is six out of seven."
That final statement might be particularly troubling for those on Merseyside. Slot openly dismissed Liverpool's recent result against Palace—likely because he made 10 alterations to the starting lineup. This selective perspective bears an unsettling resemblance to Erik ten Hag's approach during his final period at Manchester United, when he completely refused to acknowledge a loss to Tottenham Hotspur due to an incorrectly issued red card for Bruno Fernandes. He was dismissed three days following that statement.
Slot Disputes Concerning Data
Going into this weekend's matches, Liverpool had allowed 19 of what Opta classify as 'big chances' from open play—a concerning figure only surpassed by newly promoted Burnley (21), according to The Guardian. For context, Arsenal have conceded two. Slot adopted a markedly different position.
"I don't observe us allowing many opportunities so I don't see justification to completely alter our tactical approach," he responded dismissively, "but we must improve in preventing goals.
"Against [Manchester] United, how many opportunities did we allow? Against [Eintracht] Frankfurt when we led 3–1, we barely permitted a shot on target. In all the matches we've played so far we haven't allowed many opportunities. Not whatsoever. We do surrender slightly more than last season but that relates to us trailing 1–0 so you accept somewhat more risk.
"But overall I don't believe that our problem is that we allow too many opportunities. Our problem is we don't convert the opportunities we generate."