Liverpool boss Arne Slot is facing a crisis at Liverpool with the reigning champions now 12th in the table after their ninth defeat in 12 games across all competitions
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is under mounting pressure(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images)
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While the current situation at Liverpool may seem unsalvageable for Reds boss Arne Slot, the Dutchman only needs to take a look to Jurgen Klopp to see that all hope is not lost. The goodwill Slot collated from winning the Premier League title in his maiden season at Anfield appears to be ebbing away after Liverpool suffered their ninth defeat in 12 games on Wednesday.
The 4-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven at Anfield in the Champions League night came on the back of a 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest and a 3-0 drubbing by Manchester City in the Premier League.
The reigning champions now sit 12th in the table on 18 points after 12 matches, sitting below great rivals Everton and Manchester United. Slot's dire situation mirrors Klopp's predicament in the 2020/2021 season, however, which also came a season on from winning the league with Liverpool.
Liverpool won the Premier League title by 18 points in 2019/2020. Klopp's side had also gone on a staggering 68 games unbeaten at home in the league. Yet in a season that was played entirely behind closed doors, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Klopp and his team were thrust into a slump that saw them lose SIX home games in a row.
Asked whether the run was one of his worst spells of his coaching career, Klopp told Match of the Day at the time: "I would wish to say no but yes it is."
He added: "This team is an extreme team. We were extremely successful and now we have an extreme situation as well but we will fight through."
Despite Liverpool looking in danger of missing out on a place in Europe, the Reds rallied like never before. After Fulham had condemned the Reds to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield, Klopp's Liverpool didn't lose a single game from there on out.
Jurgen Klopp looks dejected and holds his hand up
Jurgen Klopp fought his way out of a dire situation in the 2020/2021 season with Liverpool
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The German ultimately pulled off one of his greatest achievements as Liverpool boss. He masterminded a run that saw the Reds win eight and draw two of their final ten games to miraculously finish third in 2020/2021, securing Champions League football.
Klopp's emphatic response to the adversary he was under shows Slot that he can bring Liverpool back from the brink, and perhaps save his own job in the process.
Speaking in a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Slot was asked whether he had spoken to Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes since the PSV defeat, with speculation about the Dutchman's position now rife.
Arne Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot vowed to 'fight on' as Liverpool boss
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He replied: "We had the same conversation since I've been here. I'm not sure if I said last night, but we fight on try to improve. The conversations have been the same as for the past one and a half years."
Asked if he felt let down by his players, Slot responded: "No, not at all. Although I do agree with you that our standards have not been up to the standards that we're used to and we want. But last year when we did really well there was a focus on certain individuals, but I've always said it's about the group."
Like Klopp, Slot also vowed to "keep fighting, no matter how difficult it is." Liverpool and Slot have a chance on Sunday to turn their season around once and for all as they face West Ham at the London Stadium in the Premier League.
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