Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confessed that the team's performances this season have been "ridiculous", with two more defeats from 12 Premier League games already than in their entire title-winning campaign last term. Slot is still reeling from Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, marking Liverpool's eighth loss in their last 11 games across all competitions. On Tuesday, the Dutch head coach spoke to the press ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven.
Despite their domestic struggles, Liverpool have performed wlel in the Champions League this season, securing three victories out of four matches, including a recent 1-0 triumph over Real Madrid. However, since September 20, Liverpool have managed just one Premier League win, and Slot has expressed his frustration at the team's lacklustre title defence. "It is ridiculous. It is unbelievable," Slot declared on Tuesday. "I have said many times, you will never find enough excuses for us to perform like this.
"It's unexpected for the club, for me, for everyone. But this is maybe the best club to face it, the harder it gets at this club, the more we are together.
"We are conceding more goals than last season. This time last season, we conceded zero set-pieces; now it is nine. The number of goals is close to ridiculous for a club like us."
Liverpool kicked off the season strongly, winning their first seven matches across all competitions. However, despite the flawless results, the performances were far from convincing, and Liverpool's weaknesses have been exposed.
Shipping goals has emerged as a major concern, but in contrast to the campaign's opening stages, finding the net has proved problematic.
Slot remains confident he won't lose his composure whilst attempting to reverse the situation, though he's encountering uncharted pressure following a championship-winning season.
"In order to stay calm, I don't find it that difficult to do. It's in my character," Slot said. "Most people would describe me as a calm person.
"These situations, it's not really nice, is it? It's not nice to lose, especially at such a club like Liverpool. To be honest, I didn't expect to be in this situation, the way we go about it tactically, and the quality of players we have.
"You can say it's the sixth our of seven loss in Premier League but I can say in last four matches we've lost two, and in the Champions League we've won three. But it's lower than the level expected at Liverpool.
"I take the responsibility, I feel guilty for it. We are busy working on it. I'm at the club where we aren't just used to being successful, but also times when we aren't. We are going to give extra effort. As a manager, I try to lead by example and try even harder."
Liverpool welcome PSV to Anfield on Wednesday and the Dutch outfit are flourishing this campaign. PSV have suffered just two defeats this term, sitting atop the Eredivisie having secured 11 victories from 13 fixtures.