Liverpool have suffered nine defeats in 12 games this season, leaving Arne Slot under pressure
Arne Slot in a press conference
Arne Slot has vowed to fight on at Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC)
View 2 Images
Whilst the present circumstances at Liverpool might appear bleak for Reds manager Arne Slot, the Dutchman need only look towards Jurgen Klopp to recognise that not all is lost. The goodwill Slot accumulated from securing the Premier League crown in his first campaign at Anfield seems to be diminishing following Liverpool's ninth loss in 12 fixtures on Wednesday.
The 4-1 home defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League followed a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and a 3-0 hammering by Manchester City in the Premier League.
The defending champions now find themselves 12th in the standings on 18 points after 12 matches, positioned beneath fierce rivals Everton and Manchester United. Slot's troubling predicament echoes Klopp's challenge during the 2020/2021 campaign, which similarly arrived the season after claiming the league with Liverpool.
Liverpool secured the Premier League trophy by 18 points in 2019/2020. Klopp's squad had also embarked on a remarkable 68 matches without defeat at home in the league.
However, in a campaign conducted entirely without supporters, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, Klopp and his players were plunged into a downturn that witnessed them suffer SIX consecutive home defeats.
When questioned whether the sequence represented one of his most difficult periods as a coach, Klopp told Match of the Day at the time: "I would wish to say no but yes it is."
He continued: "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 appearing in danger of missing out on European qualification, the Reds rallied spectacularly. Following Fulham's 1-0 victory at Anfield which left the Reds reeling, Klopp's side remained unbeaten from that point onwards.
The German manager ultimately delivered one of his finest achievements during his tenure at Liverpool. He orchestrated an impressive run which saw the Reds secure eight victories and two draws from their final ten matches to remarkably claim third place in 2020/2021, guaranteeing Champions League qualification.
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
View 2 Images
Klopp's decisive reaction to the pressure he faced demonstrates to Slot that he can rescue Liverpool from a difficult position, and potentially secure his own future in the process.
During Thursday afternoon's press conference, Slot was questioned about whether he had discussed matters with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes following the PSV defeat, amid growing speculation surrounding the Dutchman's future.
He said: "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."
When asked whether he felt disappointed by his players, Slot said: "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 pledged to "keep fighting, no matter how difficult it is." Liverpool and Slot have an opportunity this Sunday to completely turn their season around as they take on West Ham at the London Stadium in the Premier League.