Jurgen Klopp didn't always have things go his way at Liverpool and will know all about the pressure Arne Slot is under to perform
Jurgen Klopp the manager of Liverpool talks with his players prior to the pre-season friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at DW Stadium on July 14, 2017 in Wigan, England.
The Liverpool manager inherited a tough squad(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp might be a Liverpool legend today, but the German didn't always have things easy at Anfield and will know exactly the pressure Arne Slot is under at the moment.
In fact, things were so bad for Klopp when he took the reins on Merseyside that he actually received an apology from Liverpool's owners for the state of the squad he inherited.
The German manager was unfazed by the predicament he found himself in, though, and simply explained to his bosses that all he needed was time.
Slot, who spent around £450million in the summer transfer window, doesn't have quite the same excuse as Klopp to fall back on, making his current situation all the more difficult.
Liverpool are in a downward spiral, both domestically and in Europe, having lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions. Most recently, the Reds fell to 3-0 and 4-1 losses to Nottingham Forest and PSV, respectively.
This downturn of form has left Slot under pressure from both fans and the club's hierarchy to turn it around or risk facing the axe. Although, as Klopp once revealed, when he received an apology from Fenway Sports Group, the board is understanding.
In 2021, Klopp said: "At the beginning, I received a message from the US saying, 'Sorry for the squad we've given you.' But all was good I replied, it just needs time. There is a very strong tie to the owners, they support a lot. I just want to win football matches, to be honest."
Klopp went on to become champion of both England and Europe, winning the Premier League and Champions League on separate occasions.
Slot, of course, won the Premier League at the first attempt but is struggling to put together a consistent run of form this season. This is despite spending hundreds of millions in the summer, including £125m on Alexander Isak.
Juergen Klopp of Liverpool FC looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Jurgen Klopp didn't always have things go his way at Liverpool
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Isak, alongside Florian Wirtz, are yet to find the net in the league this season and have not performed to their best capabilities as far as fans are concerned. However, Slot is just as shocked as everyone else about Liverpool's current run of form.
Speaking post-PSV loss, the Dutchman said: "I think it is a shock for everyone. For the players, for the journalists in here, for me, for everyone. This is a shock and it’s very, very, very unexpected if you look at the quality we have. Is it a lack of confidence? I didn’t see that in the first half.
"Of course, it is hard if after losing 3-0, straight into this game you concede a goal. I saw the mentality these players have shown so many times since I am here, came back in a way you would like to come back, created chances, we kept them in their half – and after another setback by conceding the 2-1, I also saw us creating chances again to score the 2-2.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Arne Slot is under serious pressure(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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"But, in the end of the game, I did see it affected maybe one or two players that we were 3-1 and 4-1 down, that’s true." When asked if he thought it was fair for his future to be discussed so heavily, Slot added: "I don’t think it’s important if it is fair or not. But that it’s normal, that I understand.
"If any manager around the world loses football games, let alone as many as we have lost, it’s quite normal that people have an opinion about that and if that is fair or not fair, that’s for other people to judge. But that it’s normal, I think it is that if you lose so many times that people start talking about that."