Emile Heskey believes speculation surrounding Liverpool manager Arne Slot's potential dismissal is utterly absurd.
Whilst acknowledging that Liverpool's crucial encounter with West Ham on Sunday represents a 'pivotal' moment in their campaign, the former striker has urged his old club to demonstrate patience with Slot and afford him the opportunity to orchestrate a turnaround.
The Reds travel to face the Hammers following a disastrous sequence of nine losses in 11 matches, which has heaped enormous pressure upon Slot. However, Heskey maintains that the Dutch tactician still possesses considerable goodwill from securing the league championship last term at his maiden attempt.
Heskey remarked: "We always praise managers, and Slot got a lot right last season, whereas his changes and substations this time don't seem to be working.", reports the Mirror.
"It's an accumulation of things, including new players coming in and the defence not being solid.
"Yes, the current run would see a lot of clubs sack their manager. But most of these wouldn't have won the title last season. Slot is looking over his shoulder, and the West Ham game is massive. You heap more pressure on yourself the more games you go without winning, while shipping goals.
"But sacking him? That's too drastic. He needs an opportunity to turn things round."
Another individual requiring enhancement is Liverpool's British-record acquisition Alexander Isak, who has managed merely one goal since his summer arrival from Newcastle. Heskey, who knows the pressure of being a high-profile signing at Anfield after breaking Liverpool's transfer record with an £11m move from Leicester City in 2000, offered some advice.
Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey is a former Liverpool star (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
"Work harder, that's my advice. Get yourself up to speed. The intensity they play at now, that might have to change."
He continued: "He's finding it difficult right now. I didn't feel the pressure. I was playing in a team with two up front, alongside one of the best of his generation in Michael Owen.
"I knew what I was brought in for. To be more creative than full on scoring. Now it's different, because its' one up front - and the main focus is goals."
Florian Wirtz, another new recruit struggling to make his mark under Slot, also received some guidance from Heskey: "He needs to get used to the pace and strengthen himself, to resist the challenges.
"This league is not the same as any other one. He reminds me of (Phillippe) Coutinho. Very technical, getting the ball in pockets and gliding past players.
Florian Wirtz has struggled since his move to Liverpool
Florian Wirtz has struggled since his move to Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
"Florian needs to strengthen in the right areas, Build the muscles, to be able to withstand tackles he's going to get."
In addition to his insights on the pitch, Heskey has taken a stand against the growing issue of abuse in football by leading a pioneering Football Safety App aimed at combating online and matchday abuse through real-time reporting.
He concluded: "We've all go to come together to make the sport a safer place. Bring more people in, not turn them away. Enough is enough."