Liverpool's locker room has been left stunned by the club's recent woeful form, with senior players believing that Arne Slot has been badly served by his squad.
The Reds are experiencing their most torrid period in 72 years following their abysmal 4-1 Champions League defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven. That reverse came after a third consecutive Premier League loss where Nottingham Forest also comfortably saw off Liverpool at Anfield.
Their dreadful sequence has placed Slot's role in jeopardy with the Dutchman presiding over nine defeats in 12 matches. Tempers flared in the changing room following the Forest setback and skipper Virgil van Dijk alongside other senior figures are 'frustrated' by the current situation, according to Mail Online.
The general view is reportedly that Liverpool manager Slot is being failed by his players.
The squad's overriding sentiment is believed to be bewilderment, with their present struggles arriving just months after they cruised to the Premier League crown. This campaign, the club find themselves in the lower half of the table and 11 points adrift of pacesetter Arsenal.
Several of Liverpool's key men have also aired their concerns publicly regarding their difficulties. Academy graduate Curtis Jones offered a frank evaluation after PSV.
"It's unacceptable to be honest," he said. "As I said, I don't even have the words, I'm past being angry and sad, I'm at the point now where I don't have the words.
"It's hard to find the words. I'm a player and a fan, I'm seeing it like this, I haven't experienced a team play like this bad and results like this.
"At the end of the day, we still have that badge on our chest, until that badge goes, we're always going to fight, try get this team to where it needs to be and show why Liverpool is the best team in the world. But as of now, we're in the s--- and it needs to change."
Arne Slot
Arne Slot needs to turn around Liverpool's form (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Slot conceded in his press conference that his team have not been performing up to par. However, he doesn't feel let down by his squad.
"No, not at all," he stated on Friday. "Although I do agree with you that our standards, and with our, I mean the team, [they] have not been of the standards we are used to and that we want.
"We believe we can perform better than we currently are. But last season when we were doing really well there was a lot of focus on certain individuals and I always maintained it should be about the team and the team makes the individuals look very good.
"If the opposite is happening, we should also look at the team and not the individuals. That's what it's about for me."