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The pressure is mounting at Anfield and for Arne Slot.
Liverpool’s dismal form continued with Saturday’s humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The result left Arne Slot’s side languishing in 11th position in the Premier League table after suffering six defeats in their opening 12 matches.
Just 24 hours after that chastening loss, Slot pulled out of the Northern Football Writers’ Association awards ceremony in Manchester, where he was due to receive the Manager of the Year award for leading Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut campaign according to the Athletic.
The 47-year-old withdrew on Sunday morning, sending club ambassador Gary McAllister to collect the honor on his behalf.
McAllister, who had been attending Leeds United’s match against Aston Villa earlier that day, received a last-minute call at half-time requesting he stand in for the absent Dutchman at the 4pm ceremony.
He delivered Slot’s apologies to the assembled guests and read a brief message in which the manager expressed that he was “extremely proud” to receive the recognition.
Slot was not the only manager to miss the event.
Newcastle’s Eddie Howe and Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris were also absent following their respective fixtures on Saturday.
However, the timing of Slot’s withdrawal was noticeable with the Reds now having lost eight of their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Following Saturday’s defeat, Slot accepted full responsibility for Liverpool’s alarming slump:
“If we win or lose, it’s my responsibility,” he said. “I can’t provide enough justifications for the results we’ve been experiencing. They are simply not acceptable, and I bear the responsibility for them”.
“The pressure will only increase as Liverpool prepare to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday, desperately needing a result to restore confidence ahead of a crucial period.”
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