Liverpool supporters are coming to terms with their worst start to a Premier League season for more than a decade.
The Reds headed into the campaign as strong favourites to retain their title after spending huge amounts in the summer transfer market.
That feeling was quickly reinforced as Liverpool won their first five matches and stormed to the top of the Premier League table.
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However, Arne Slot‘s team have won only one of their seven games since, losing six in a remarkable turnaround in fortunes. They currently sit in 11th place.
Slot has earned huge amounts of praise during his time at Anfield so far, much of it completely justified.
However, while the Dutchman has previously been compared to the great Bob Paisley, he has now matched an unwanted Brendan Rodgers record which could yet see him sacked.
Arne Slot pictured during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Liverpool lose six out of 12 for the first time since Brendan Rodgers
Slot was always going to get away with a slight dip in form for Liverpool from last year to this. The standard set in 2024/25 was brilliant, and the turmoil of the summer meant time may be needed.
However, the 47-year-old has let things slide to an unacceptable degree. No Liverpool team should be losing half of their first 12 Premier League matches.
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As it turns out, one Reds side has actually done it before. Rodgers led Liverpool to a similar record after a dozen matches of the 2014/15 campaign.
The Northern Irishman’s start was even worse, with Liverpool losing six, drawing two and winning only four.
Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Arne Slot following Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
That put them on 14 points 11 years ago, a whopping 18 behind leaders Chelsea in 12th position.
To their credit, the Liverpool owners did not sack Rodgers. The coach did turn things around to a degree, but could only finish sixth. Any lower and he may have been given the boot.
Rodgers was a dead man walking, though, and as Slot will no doubt be aware, he was relieved of his duties after a similarly poor start to the 2015/16 season.
Next five games are critical for Slot
Liverpool’s 12th Premier League game of the 14/15 season was a dispiriting 3-1 loss away at Crystal Palace. The team looked finished.
They did rally, though, winning the next two to ease the pressure mounting on Rodgers. Drawing the third in that run meant the Reds stopped the rot and gave themselves something to build on.
Although a crushing 3-0 defeat against Man United was thrown in there, Liverpool also got a creditable draw with Arsenal to make it eight points from 15 available.
Slot is likely to want better than that across Liverpool’s next five this season, but it provides a reminder that things can turn quickly in football and if the Reds can find form in their next chunk of matches then they can soon shoot up the table.
The writing was ultimately on the wall for Rodgers, and that is something that Slot must bear in mind. But he has more credit in the bank than his predecessor ever did and has a team at his disposal which can hit much greater heights. It does not have to go the same way, but it very well might.