Liverpool legend Ian Callaghan, who is the club's record appearance maker, has laughed off recent talk that Arne Slot's job should be under threat — and backed the Reds to re-enter the Premier League title race.
Callaghan played a remarkable 857 times for Liverpool during his 18 years at the club, won almost every trophy available — including five league titles and two European Cups — and was only ever booked once.
It is fair to say he has seen and experienced it all at Anfield, having played for the club in the second division right through to becoming champions of Europe, and he feels that any talk of Slot being fired should be knocked back.
"It's so early in the season, really," he tells Liverpool.com, speaking on behalf of The Pools Foundation. "I just feel as though they have too many really good players and as soon as they get together and gel, we will be fine.
"To talk about Arne Slot and his management is a bit ridiculous. I think it's down to the players. We've bought players and it's obviously taken a while — and some haven't gelled even now, so I don't think you can blame Slot.
"Sometimes it's the back four giving goals away and not playing well, and sometimes it's the midfield. It is a team game and we are just not gelling at the moment."
Against West Ham, Slot made the bold call to drop Mohamed Salah, and it paid off, with Florian Wirtz impressing and Alexander Isak netting his first Premier League goal.
Mohamed Salah warms up before Liverpool's win at West Ham United
Mohamed Salah warms up before Liverpool's win at West Ham United (Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"I don't think he's had a particularly good season up to now, so maybe it will do him good," Callaghan says. "Knowing the way Mo reacts, he won't like it — he doesn't even like being taken off and he gets a bit upset.
"Everybody wants to do well but it's just that things haven't been happening for him. Last season, he was absolutely incredible, but players go through spells.
"But being such a good player and someone that Liverpool rely on for assists and for scoring goals, it just hasn't happened for him this season.
"Liverpool have too many good players in the squad, though. They will come good and by the end of the season, they will not be far away.
"Isak is such a good player and he will come good. He scored a good goal at the weekend. Let's hope that gives him confidence.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 21, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz during a Liverpool training session at AXA Training Centre on October 21, 2025 (Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"Wirtz as well — to pay that amount of money for him, he must be a good player. He has to come good sooner rather than later, he really has. Once the team gels, we'll not be far away."
One of the few positives for Liverpool in the early months of the campaign has been the form of Dominik Szoboszlai, whom Callaghan is a big fan of.
"Without a doubt, he has been one of Liverpool's best players this season," he says. "I've been very impressed with him. He has a tremendous shot and he is all over the place.
"He has been the outstanding player, for me, this season. He has been really good for Liverpool."
And now nine points off Arsenal in the Premier League standings, Callaghan isn't even ruling out a potential push for the title after the Reds got back on track against a poor West Ham team.
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"To start getting better and winning games consistently and getting us up the league," he says.
"It's been a hard season up to now for Liverpool, but we had the result against West Ham, and let's hope that kicks it off. I don't know if they will win the league, but they certainly won't be far away."
Callaghan was speaking on behalf of The Pools Foundation, which marked its launch through a first charitable donation of £100,000 to Teenage Cancer Trust.
"I was delighted when I was asked to be on the panel," he adds. "I jumped at it really, because I've been involved with LFC former players and on the panel there, which donates money to charities.
"When the Pools asked me, I said yes, without a doubt. £100,000 is a lot of money and these charities, they need the money from people who donate."