Arne Slot is facing a crucial period in his Liverpool career. The Dutchman is currently experiencing the worst run of his managerial tenure with the Reds, having suffered six losses in their last seven league matches. This poor performance has seen the reigning champions plummet to 12th place in the Premier League, trailing Arsenal, the current leaders, by 11 points. They also suffered another defeat in the Champions League, losing 4-1 to PSV this time.
Criticism has been levelled not only at players such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah but also at Slot himself. Many are suggesting that his position as head coach is under serious threat. Just a few months ago, the idea of Slot's departure was unthinkable, especially after the Reds clinched their second league title in five years. However, if their current form persists, this could become a reality.
As we approach a busy winter period that could determine Slot's future at Anfield, Express Sport brings you all the latest news from the club...
Deadline set for Slot
Liverpool's Premier League title victory now seems like a distant memory, given the team's recent downturn. At the start of the season, there were reportedly talks about extending Slot's contract, but these discussions have since been put on hold.
Any club would be concerned by a losing streak like the one Slot is currently enduring, but at Liverpool, such a pattern is simply unacceptable. According to former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann, Slot must secure victories in his next two games or risk becoming the first Liverpool manager to be sacked in over a decade.
The former Germany international discussed Slot's situation on talkSPORT and said: "I don't think anybody wants to see him leave because of what he's done last season. Obviously, the run of form is very bad at the moment. I think what you want to see as a club is progress. The next two games will be telling.
"Alan [Brazil] just said they've got to win both games, I agree because we don't need to talk about the title now. Arsenal look very strong, Chelsea look the only contender really at the moment. I think they've (Liverpool) got a fight on their hands to finish in the top four. If you don't see progress in the Premier League, I think his time will come to an end, as it will be with everybody else."
Isak and Wirtz concerns
A significant shortcoming of Slot's tenure thus far has been his struggle to integrate his new recruits into the Liverpool squad that clinched the league title. Despite the substantial investment made this summer, largely on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, the two expensive acquisitions have yet to find their rhythm in the Dutchman's tactical setup.
The duo have featured together in the starting line-up for just a single Premier League match, the 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, and have managed merely one assist between them with no goals across their 16 league appearances in all competitions.
Former England and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has warned that it could take "months" for Slot to integrate his new signings into the team, given their current poor form.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, he questioned: "Is this a case of too much transition in one season?
"You've got the opposite last year when everyone thought they'll have no chance of winning the league because they've only signed one player, and Arne Slot coming in with a team that's familiar with itself, that knows themselves, and he inherited that magnificently well.
"Now it's a transition, and he clearly has asked for that transition to happen, and the amount of money that's available to Liverpool on the basis of what they've built up over the years, particularly last year, with only signing one player, meant there was a big pot there, and they went into the market by signing quality players.
"The integration of a new player is difficult, but the integration of many players is very, very difficult. It will take months. This is not an overnight situation, to know how your players partner up.
"Players who are there at the moment are looking at the new players, and footballers are very good at not blaming themselves. Now it's down to Arne Slot to deal with the toughest time he's going to have."