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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard thinks Arne Slot should be given more time to turn things around at Anfield, despite the club's "really dire" showings for much of the current campaign.
The Reds have suffered a torrid season following their record-breaking summer expenditure, with consistently poor displays and dreadful Premier League results heaping pressure on Slot, even though the Dutchman claimed the title in his very first year at the helm.
Many Liverpool fans have been calling for the club to dismiss the former Feyenoord manager, but Gerrard has urged restraint when it comes to parting ways with the man who guided the Reds to only their second Premier League championship.
"He has [got credit in the bank] with me because more than anyone on the planet, I know how difficult it is to win a league," Gerrard told the Stick to Football podcast. "And for him to come in and win a league in his first season, being asked questions in the media a long time, what do you think, does it need to change and blah, blah, blah ... He's got a lot more credit with me.
"You know how difficult it is. Jamie [Carragher] will tell you, the Liverpool demand, they expect to win it every year. So I think he needs the opportunity to sort of play himself out of trouble and fix the issues and try and get himself back in a good place."
The 45-year-old continued: "I think someone who's won a league deserves at least a full season to try and work through the problems and issues they're facing.
"I'm certainly one of those people, but I have to acknowledge what the fans are saying too, because it has been dire in certain games and performances. Really dire."
Decisive Week for Slot's Future Approaches
Liverpool fans will be hoping the March international break has provided a chance to reset for the Reds, who suffered a defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion just before the club football pause.
The urgency of a quick turnaround is amplified by what lies ahead on Liverpool's fixture list. A pivotal week awaits — one that could prove defining for Slot's future at the club.
Liverpool begin by travelling to Manchester City in an FA Cup quarterfinal on Saturday. A loss at the Etihad Stadium would eliminate yet another path to a trophy, before the Reds then head to reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.
As Liverpool discovered last season, PSG are a formidable opponent, and a heavy loss at the Parc des Princes would leave Slot's squad teetering on the edge.
The Reds then welcome Fulham the following weekend in the Premier League as they look to revive their Champions League qualification push. While they currently sit fifth — almost certainly enough to secure a spot in Europe's top club competition — their alarming inconsistency means nothing can be taken for granted regarding a top-five finish.
A challenging week on the pitch could have serious consequences for Slot's position as the scrutiny continues to intensify.