Liverpool supporters could hardly be blamed for exiting early during Saturday’s embarrassing defeat against Nottingham Forest.
The Reds had the chance to bounce back from their recent poor form against a side sitting second-bottom of the Premier League at the start of play.
Unfortunately, Liverpool instead lurched to an even greater low, losing 3-0 in shocking – but not surprising – fashion.
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With no hope of rescuing the game in the final 10 minutes, fans headed for the Anfield exits.
What that means for Arne Slot remains to be seen, but it seems the Liverpool crowd have begun to turn their back on their manager.
For Virgil van Dijk, it must have been a galling sight, seeing thousands of people swarming out as the reality of another stinging defeat hit home. Facing up to the press after the game, the Liverpool captain gave his reaction.
Liverpool players react after Nottingham Forest score a third goal during the Premier League match at Anfield.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk expects fans to return
If you’d paid good money to sit at Anfield in the cold and watch what Liverpool served up today, you’d likely have left early as well.
Reds fans are some of the best and most loyal in the business, but they will not be taken for fools.
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As Liverpool registered a sixth defeat in seven matches for only the second time in 60 years on Saturday, they had simply had enough.
Seemingly asked about the supporters leaving early, Van Dijk gave a somewhat non-committal answer, stating that he expects they will return once the results turn around.
Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Arne Slot following Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
“I can’t decide what the supporters are doing if they leave early,” he said via BBC Sport.
“I know the fans have been through thick and thin with us. They will be there with us when we come out of this because we will come out of this.”
Arne Slot could be losing Liverpool fans
The mood of Liverpool supporters after Saturday’s defeat could hardly be darker. Things just continue to get worse.
As former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson noted on BBC Sport during the game, it has been a long time since Anfield emptied so quickly during a match.
“For the first time in a long time, Anfield starts to empty with 10 minutes still to go,” said Robinson.
Following the recent run of results, it is hardly a surprise that fans had seen enough. But the act could have longer-term implications for Slot.
Unfortunately for the Dutchman, he does very much appear to have lost a portion of the Liverpool crowd. Unless results improve instantly, they will not return.
Liverpool are unlikely to sack Slot immediately, but if he loses more games and Anfield truly turns its back, nothing will save him.