Liverpool slumped to 11th in the Premier League after falling to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest, ramping up the pressure on Arne Slot to turn this form around.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot reacts during the Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22 2025
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot reacts during the Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22 2025
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Liverpool's return from the international break didn't quite go as anyone had pictured, as the Reds slumped to yet another defeat in the Premier League. Sean Dyche and his Nottingham Forest side arrived at Anfield with a plan, one they executed well, causing further headaches for Arne Slot.
Murillo's strike just after 30 minutes in the tie gave the away side the lead, while they took full control just 40 seconds into the second half through Nicolo Savona. Insult was added to injury just 12 minutes from time, when Morgan Gibbs-White added a third for Nottingham Forest, leaving Liverpool frustrated at another difficult afternoon.
With the Reds losing six in their last seven league games, upcoming clashes against West Ham, Sunderland, and Leeds appear to be crucial in finding some form. The pressure continues to ramp up surrounding the club, with Slot's position as manager coming into question from some of the fanbase
As it stands, the possibility of a managerial change doesn't appear to be imminent, but it does show there is an expectation that things must turn around soon at Liverpool. But is that the right decision?
The Liverpool ECHO's writers have given their verdict on Slot's future and the decision that should be made...
Theo Squires
It has been a miserable couple of months for Arne Slot and Liverpool, but they were supposed to be greeted with a favourable run of fixtures in the build-up to the Premier League’s festive period.
While a hefty 3-0 loss at Man City was another step backwards after back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, there was still optimism that the Reds would soon be able to reverse their fortunes - especially with struggling Nottingham Forest their next opponents.
Losing to the East Midlands outfit, as they did last season, would have been bad enough. But a convincing 3-0 defeat was embarrassing. As soon as they fell behind in the first half, not once did Liverpool look like fighting their way back into the game.
They won the title at a canter last season, and Slot was rightly lauded for how he oversaw such a triumph. But he has big problems to solve with his side looking even more lost and unrecognisable week after week.
There are mitigating circumstances, of course. The impact of Diogo Jota’s tragic death, a number of injuries and the fact that it was always going to take time for the club’s eight new senior signings to settle.
But with results and performances lacking, the pressure is inevitably building on Slot.
Last year’s title win ensures any talk of the sack is certainly premature. He deserves time to turn things around.
But with Liverpool stuck in a rut and showing little sign of turning things around on the pitch as things stand, something needs to change to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Virgil van Dijk said after the defeat to Forest that the Reds squad are letting their Dutch head coach down. He is right, of course. But if Slot is to avoid being the one that is changed, he needs to find answers on the pitch and fast.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks dejected during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield
Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks dejected during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield
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Richard Garnett
Last season was supposed to be Arne Slot's transitional season. Instead, he won the Premier League with weeks to spare. Since then, the club has spent over £400m on new recruits and have somehow managed to make the team worse.
Individually, I don't believe that Liverpool have bought any duds, but exactly what their intentions were by recruiting the way they have remains a mystery to me. I was worried at the start of the season that they had made too many new signings and sadly, nothing appears to have changed my mind on that position.
There are issues all over the park. The club signed two top-class centre forwards but can't get them both into the side. They have a world-class No. 10 who doesn't fit into the team's system, which hasn't been changed to accommodate him. But they are not even the biggest issues.
Liverpool are defensively weak and show now sign of fixing that problem, which is surely the most pressing. Right-back has become a guest position and the fact that the starting back line never finishes a match, with sometimes three of the group replaced over the course of a match, should send alarm bells ringing.
In short, Liverpool don't look like they know what they are doing right now and that is a very bad look for the manager. Whether the current pickle falls on his shoulders or that of the recruitment team is an internal matter, but football is a results business, and if Slot doesn't stop his side shipping goals for fun, he won't last the season, regardless of the great things he has already achieved at the club.
Eight defeats in the last 11 matches is relegation form. It's time to get back to basics and build a foundation on clean sheets. Otherwise things are going to get pretty ugly.
Stephen Killen
Liverpool should not sack Arne Slot, despite the current run of form. But the Dutchman has to find a solution quickly. Downturns in form happen, something that Pep Guardiola endured last season, which saw him face his toughest period at Manchester City after a trophy-laden spell.
The hiring-and-firing approach from football clubs doesn't typically work. Manchester United are only now tasting relative success in the Premier League under Ruben Amorin after having eight managers in the post in less than 10 years.
This is a real test of Slot's capabilities as a manager and whether he can manage in the Premier League for a sustained period. Despite this torrid run, he isn't immune to criticism for the recent display and sometimes mind-boggling approaches to matches.
But there is a case that he is also being severely let down by the players within the squad. The recent displays have been gutless and performances have been left wanting by key members of the squad.
Should Liverpool fail to turn around their form then the credit in the bank for Slot will begin to fade, then the question will be what calibre of head coach is available to replace him?
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Arne Slot saw his Liverpool suffer their sixth league defeat of the season at the weekend
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Luke Thrower
I don’t think anyone could predict Liverpool struggling quite as much as they have this season, especially given the comfort with which they won the Premier League title last season, along with the summer recruitment that has followed. The reality is, however, that the balance has quite clearly gone missing.
I firmly believe that is down to the way the squad has been built. The summer business pointed towards a team that was expected to face a lot of low blocks, adding players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz who can break open defences.
Instead, the team is lacking physicality, meaning the opposition are able to hit Liverpool quickly with a direct approach. That, to me, points towards a squad problem rather than a managerial problem.
While moving Arne Slot on could be an option, I’m not sure there are any other managers who could come in and find a magic solution to the issues that Liverpool are facing right now. Results do talk, though, and if this run of form carries on, then it could well point towards the end.
However, I believe Slot will be given until the end of the season at the very least to turn things around, before addressing some glaring weaknesses in the transfer market.
Aaron Morris
Despite kicking off the season with an air of invincibility, having effortlessly steered Liverpool to Premier League glory last term without significant summer transfers, Arne Slot must surely be feeling the pressure following the Reds' recent slump. With just a single victory in their last five league matches, Liverpool are languishing in a disappointing 11th place in the English top flight.
Not only have summer recruits Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak failed to justify their hefty price tags, but a previously impenetrable defensive duo of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have shown signs of vulnerability this season, showing more gaps than a sinking ship. Elsewhere, the necessity to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai as a makeshift full-back due to Jeremie Frimpong's injuries has not aided matters, as Liverpool lose a crucial component of their midfield engine.
Liverpool's current defensive woes may leave football enthusiasts worldwide pondering whether the signing of Marc Guehi could have averted such a dismal run of form this term, particularly considering how close the Reds were to securing the Crystal Palace captain on deadline day. Meanwhile, the decision to send Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen might also raise questions, given his impressive performances in the Bundesliga and Liverpool's shortage of depth in that position.
As for how long Slot has left at the helm, I believe he has the remainder of the season given last term's heroics. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool's current form will improve or deteriorate, and it may be a bold take, given that Graham Potter and Ange Postecoglou were dismissed by West Ham and Nottingham Forest respectively for similar results recently. However, I doubt Liverpool will be eager to part ways with their manager, particularly as they typically retain their heads coaches for extended periods.