Liverpool boss Arne Slot is under mounting pressure following the Reds' latest setback. The 47-year-old, who replaced Jurgen Klopp, enjoyed a fairytale debut season at Anfield by delivering the Premier League title. But he has struggled in the opening stages of the 2025-26 season. Saturday's humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest has sparked serious questions about his position.
The situation is made worse by Liverpool's staggering £450million summer outlay on new players. Saturday's loss means the Reds have now suffered six defeats in their previous seven fixtures in all competitions, including a 3-0 loss to Manchester City before November's international break.
As pressure intensifies on Slot, the Dutchman has received a stark warning from several pundits regarding his future at Anfield. Meanwhile, former Liverpool boss Klopp continues to be touted for a sensational return to the club.
Slot sack stance
Questions are inevitably being asked about Slot's position. But two prominent pundits believe the Dutchman is safe from the axe, having won the title just months ago.
Ex-Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown is convinced that Slot will not be dismissed by Liverpool in the immediate future. "We have to give credit to Forest for what they are doing but yes, the wheels are coming off now for Arne Slot," Keown told TNT Sports.
"Obviously, it was Jurgen Klopp's team, and he has tried to come in and make changes, but he has spent £450million on players, and they are going backwards. They have simply been undone. Whether it's a crisis I don't know, it's certainly a major problem for the manager to go six defeats from seven. Unthinkable.
"I don't think you can win the league one year and get sacked the next. It's remarkable what we are seeing with Liverpool. Their fall from grace and to lose this many games at the start of the season, they are eight points behind top spot, it is unthinkable really from this time last season."
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp agreed on Sky Sports following Forest's triumph. He said: "I look at Liverpool now, this is what I expected to happen last season.
"After Jurgen Klopp leaving the club I thought it would have some negative effect on the team. There wasn't. They did something absolutely extraordinary and won the league.
"Right now, I think it's a time for patience because they'll be people, pundits, everyone going crazy, [saying] 'Sack the manager'. [Be] calm, take your time, make sure you assess it, it's been the most difficult pre-season you can imagine for those players."
Klopp tipped as favourite to make comeback
The scrutiny surrounding Slot has intensified with former Reds manager Klopp looming large in the background. The German legend currently tops the bookmakers' listings to succeed the Dutchman should Liverpool's hierarchy decide to make a managerial change.
Klopp is priced as low as 2/1 to become the next Liverpool boss with bookmakers including Sky Bet and Paddy Power, whilst other candidates being considered include Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Unai Emery of Aston Villa and Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann are also amongst those linked with the position.
However, despite Klopp being the frontrunner, there is no indication that Liverpool's ownership are considering a managerial change at present.
Klopp's comments about a potential Anfield comeback last October generated considerable attention. Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast when asked about returning, he said: "I said I would never coach a different team in England. So that means if, (I did return to England) then it's Liverpool. Yeah, theoretically it's possible."
When pressed on what circumstances would bring him back to Anfield, he responded: "I don't even know exactly. I love what I do now. I don't miss coaching. I don't. I do coach but it's just different, it's not players.
"I don't want to die in the dressing room. It's these kind of things. I'm 58. From your perspective that might be old, but from other perspectives, it's not that old.
"That means I could make a decision in a few years. I don't know. Do I have to make a decision today? I will not coach again, but thank God I do not have to do that, I can just see what the future brings."
The legendary former Reds boss has been serving as Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull's football operation and has recently joined an advisory panel assisting the German Football League (DFL).
He also expressed his support for Slot, saying: "He's a super good guy. He got the best out of this team, and they became champions in an incredible manner."