Liverpool have not sacked a manager since doing so with Brendan Rodgers in 2015 but Arne Slot's dire run of results has seen the heat ramp up on the Dutchman with the Reds in freefall
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is under increased pressure as the team's losing run continues
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is under increased pressure as the team's losing run continues
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Liverpool last sacked their manager after he lost twice in a run of 11 games - making Arne Slot's nine defeats in 12 seem all the more concerning.
Since FSG bought the club they've enjoyed great stability with managers, owing massively to the lengthy stint of Jurgen Klopp. Now though the situation facing Slot could force them to act with the team's demise showing no sign of slowing down.
PSV came to Anfield and secured a statement victory on Wednesday, scoring three times in the second half. It was the second time in five days that a visiting team had scored at least three times after Nottingham Forest landed a 3-0 win on Merseyside.
The run of results, which dates back to late September, has seen Liverpool go from the Premier League's pacesetters to a team in the bottom half. Their hopes of retaining the title are all but over and it's not even December. They've also been dumped out of the Carabao Cup.
Slot is being afforded some patience given he won the Premier League title in his first year. That said, there is no sign of this run of results ending and few can find any small glimmers of hope to grab onto.
Sacking managers midseason is always a risk and Liverpool's ideal appointment is thought to be Luis Enrique, who is certainly not leaving PSG right now. FSG though were willing to axe Brendan Rodgers in the wake of a 1-1 draw at Everton back in November 2015 - a decade ago - and bought in Klopp four days later.
Rodgers' sacking run
The German's availability was no doubt a factor and Rodgers was working off the back of a disappointing season. Nevertheless the ruthlessness with which he was sacked came as a surprise, especially as the Reds were by no means in free fall - like they are now.
In 2015/16 Liverpool began the season with successive wins before a draw at Arsenal. Back-to-back losses, the first a shock 3-0 for West Ham at Anfield before a defeat at Old Trafford, harmed Rodgers' case but was by no means terminal. Performances were an issue, with Norwich leaving Liverpool with a draw.
Brendan Rodgers lasted just 11 games into the season before he was sacked
Brendan Rodgers lasted just 11 games into the season before he was sacked
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The Northern Irishman's final win came over Crystal Palace in a five-goal contest. Outside of the Premier League the Reds had struggled for wins, but were not being defeated with anything like the regularity they are now.
They drew both of their Europa League contests - although given they were against Bordeaux and FC Sion more would've been expected. They needed penalties to see of Carlisle at Anfield after The Cumbrians battled to a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes. Liverpool's stalemate in Merseyside derby ended with no sense that Rodgers was about to be axed, but that was the call the hierarchy made.
Liverpool bosses are again facing a scenario where they may have to act, which seemed unthinkable in the summer when the champions spent more than £400million and had nearly every pundit backing them to retain their crown.
Slot isn't naive to the situation facing him, but believes he still has the necessary backing. The Dutchman said on Wednesday: “It would be nice to turn it around and get a victory. But if you are working as a coach and not doing well then it is normal that questions are asked. If you lose so many times, people start talking about that. I have got a lot of support from above. I am OK with my position. They don’t call every single minute of the day to say they trust me, but in the normal conversations we have, I feel the trust.”
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