Arne Slot may retain the backing of the Liverpool board despite some terrible results recently, but fans are proving harder to keep onside.
The Dutch coach was universally loved by the red half of Merseyside after delivering a superb Premier League title win last season.
However, Slot left Anfield to boos after his team took a battering from PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, and the tide has slowly been turning against him amongst the fanbase.
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Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Arne Slot following Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
While support will remain in place for now, many have long since concluded that Slot may not be the man to lead Liverpool into the long-term future.
Part of the reason for that is the 47-year-old’s decision making. He has come up with some bizarre answers to problems this season, often making things worse in doing so. And as Slot prepares Liverpool for a critical match against West Ham on Sunday, he has made one of his strangest decisions yet.
Arne Slot gives Liverpool the day off
One of the features of Slot’s time at Liverpool so far has been the importance he places on time off both for him and his players.
The former Feyenoord boss has faced scrutiny for jetting off to Dubai during the October international break, for example, while his mid-season holiday in Ibiza last spring also raised a few eyebrows.
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READ MORE: Liverpool are now saying something ‘weird’ about sacking Arne Slot
Arne Slot applauds fans after Liverpool's UEFA Champions League loss against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Right now, with Liverpool in their worst form for more than 70 years, there should be no more time off. Players and staff should be working as hard as they possibly can to put things right at the AXA Training Centre.
Unfortunately, Slot has once again decided otherwise. As journalist Fabrizio Romano reports, the Liverpool head coach took the decision to more or less close the training ground on Friday in order to give everyone some space.
“Liverpool decided to go for a free day on Friday,” Romano says. “Free day for the manager, free day for the staff, free day for the players. It’s going to be a different day to try and disconnect a bit on Friday.”
If only Liverpool fans had the luxury of ‘disconnecting’ from a team who have become a genuine laughing stock. With Saturday designated for travelling down to London for the game on Sunday, exactly when are the Reds going to work on fixing their issues before facing the Hammers?
The London Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for the Reds, what’s your favourite West Ham memory?
West Ham United FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool’s last five Premier League games vs West Ham away:
W 5-0
D 2-2
W 2-1
L 3-2
W 3-1
Liverpool fans should not accept part-time Reds
When you’re winning football matches regularly, these kinds of decisions can come to look like masterstrokes.
Like everyone else on the planet, footballers love time off away from work to spend with their families. In the right situation, it should be encouraged that they do that as much as possible.
However, there comes a time when it is not acceptable to tank days on the training pitch. Liverpool’s current form is very much one of those times.
The Reds look completely incoherent for large patches of games. They need to get out on the grass and work as hard and as often as they possibly can to put things right.
If Liverpool stop the rot and pick up a good result against West Ham then maybe Slot will have been justified with this approach. But if they lose again, it will take on a very different connotation. Either way, supporters should not stand for it. They are going through it right now while those responsible put their feet up.
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