Gary Neville has urged Liverpool supporters to "forget" any speculation about Arne Slot potentially facing the sack after a disappointing run of form. Despite a strong start to the season with five consecutive victories, Slot's team now languishes in 11th place in the Premier League, trailing Arsenal by 11 points.
Even though Liverpool kicked off their campaign with five wins, the performances left much to be desired. They squandered a 2-0 lead against Bournemouth in just over 10 minutes before clawing back to secure victory, while last-minute goals saved them against Newcastle and Burnley.
Their narrow 1-0 triumph over Arsenal marked the only clean sheet during this period.
The crucial factor for Slot is that despite the shaky performances, his side were consistently bagging three points, something they're struggling to do now.
Liverpool have managed to clinch victory in just one of their past seven league matches and have recently suffered consecutive 3-0 defeats.
As the club finds itself far from its desired position in the table, rumours about Slot's job security have started to circulate online. However, former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Neville believes the manager's immediate future isn't in jeopardy yet, despite what he heard from fans.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he said: "There's no way that Arne Slot should be in danger or losing his job. I've heard murmurs; you go on social media and all that nonsense, forget that.
"Some Liverpool fans will say, 'Don't talk about my football club like that', but come on, let's have some sense here. This is a really good manager, who's a brilliant front man for the club as well in the way he handles himself. He's got real class.
"For me, he's having a really bad time. I think he's got to somehow reverse back down the road quite quickly and do something different, intervene and sort out what he thinks might be some really difficult decisions staring him in the face, maybe give the players a little bit of help with the make-up of the teams he is picking.
"I love the style of play, by the way. I love it when they go punch for punch, but when you're going punch for punch with teams and you're not coming out on top, you do have to change that. You do have to do something different. I think the players will be expecting that of him, never mind the media and the fans.
"For Arne Slot, I think it's a real challenging moment. He's going to come under pressure, people are going to start saying the fatal words of, 'Is he in trouble?' But let's not get too carried away with that. He's just signed £450million worth of players and he's got to try and settle them in.
"Those players who have come into the club have got to step up and prove they can deliver, and the players who have been there a long time - the leaders, captains and experienced players - have to provide stability in the dressing room so the new players don't feel like they're taking all the pressure themselves."
Liverpool dominated possession with 74 per cent against Forest on Saturday.
The Reds also outshot their opponents 21 to 15 and completed over 400 more passes than Sean Dyche's team, making it clear why Slot believed his side were superior on the day.
However, the Liverpool manager refused to point fingers at his squad.
He said: "It is my responsibility. If we win or lose, it is my responsibility. But what I also see is the team - and, by the way, our fans as well - stay until the end, support the team until the end, and the players keep on trying until the end.
"What I also saw today, but it wasn't at City - and at City we are not the only team that struggles in the first half - and in every other game we've played, we've been the dominant team and we were able to create chances."
Slot will be eager for his squad to bounce back swiftly from Saturday's setback as they prepare for European competition.
Liverpool welcome PSV to Anfield on Wednesday, with the Reds boss hoping his side can preserve their position in the top eight. In the Premier League, Liverpool are set to face West Ham in London on Sunday.
The Hammers are battling to distance themselves from the relegation zone, while the Reds aim to move back into the top half of the table.