Arne Slot has led Liverpool to their worst start to a Premier League season since Brendan Rodgers was in charge at Anfield
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Arne Slot's Liverpool side have lost six of their last seven Premier League games
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Liverpool's dreadful form has left the Reds with their poorest league start since Brendan Rodgers was in charge more than 10 years ago. Arne Slot's squad endured a stunning 3-0 home thrashing by Nottingham Forest at the weekend, marking their sixth defeat in seven Premier League outings.
The result represented Liverpool's joint-heaviest home loss of the Premier League era, sending the club tumbling to 11th position. Slot's team are experiencing a comparable decline to the one Rodgers' side endured in 2014, losing six of their opening 12 games, just months after coming agonisingly close to claiming the league title. The Reds were four points worse off in 12th at the same stage of that season.
However, the club's current problems appear even more glaring given their status as defending champions. Liverpool's lavish summer spending heightened expectations, smashing their transfer record twice. Rodgers previously highlighted the extra burden that comes with marquee signings during his time at Anfield.
When asked for his thoughts before Liverpool's crushing loss to Chelsea in April 2014, Rodgers maintained that the Reds had more freedom than their freer-spending rivals. "People talk about pressure but it's absolutely wonderful," Rodgers said.
"Everyone talks about pressure but that is Manchester City or Chelsea – when you spend that sort of money and expect to win the league. Look at Tottenham - you spend over £100million you'd expect to be challenging for the league."
For Rodgers, the scrutiny intensified during the subsequent season. Liverpool splashed out over £100million in total on players such as Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Mario Balotelli, but couldn't replicate their earlier success. Rodgers guided the Reds to sixth place, yet he was ultimately dismissed in October 2015 following another sluggish start.
Liverpool's current dismal form, suffering defeat in eight of their previous 11 matches across all competitions, has placed Slot under mounting pressure. Despite being a title-winning boss, Slot will continue to be questioned while his team is on a losing run.
A club faltering after claiming the title is not unprecedented. However, Liverpool's costly summer acquisitions, including record purchases Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, bring Rodgers' historical comments into sharp focus.
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers encountered a similar start to the season with Liverpool in 2014
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The lasting effects of Diogo Jota's tragic passing should not be dismissed when discussing a Liverpool squad still grieving. Yet Slot was ready to accept complete accountability for his team's failings against Forest on Saturday.
"Of course there is a way out, especially with the quality players we have," Slot said. "No matter if you win or lose if you make a line-up or make substitutions, when you look back you are also thinking 'where can we do better, where we can adjust?'. But that is something else from doubting yourself.
"I want to emphasise I am responsible for the current losses: you are responsible when you are winning but also responsible when you are losing.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Slot is hopeful of transforming his team's form
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"I can never come up with enough excuses for us to have the results we have. That is far from good enough and I am responsible for that."
Despite the recent downturn, Slot remains hopeful that his gifted team can return to winning ways, having kicked off the league season with five straight victories before their dramatic dip in form. This would be a contrast to Rodgers' reign, as the ex-Liverpool manager failed to launch a second title bid before Jurgen Klopp took over in 2015.
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