Arne Slot‘s credit in the bank is decreasing by the game, with some in the media hugely critical after Liverpool could only draw 1-1 with Burnley.
The Premier League champions were again disappointing at Anield on Saturday, not kicking on after taking the lead through Florian Wirtz.
It was two more points thrown away in the top-four battle, with Liverpool’s 12-game unbeaten masking the team’s many flaws.
Here’s how the media assessed a poor result for the Reds.
It was another bad day in a season of struggle…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceeding the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
On X, the Mail‘s Lewis Steele made it clear what he thinks of Liverpool’s title defence:
“Liverpool [are] 17 points worse off than this time last season, and would need to win every game from here to match last season’s total points tally.
“A truly sorry title defence. Mitigating circumstances I know but Arne Slot‘s football has been hard to watch for months now.”
James Pearce of The Athletic pointed out the boos inside Anfield, as Liverpool made a mess of being in front yet again:
“Plenty of boos around Anfield. Liverpool made an absolute hash of that.
“Failed to kill off Parker’s lowly side and paid the price with Edwards cancelling out Wirtz’s opener. So sloppy. Left to rue Szoboszlai’s missed penalty.
“Only themselves to blame.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike reacts to his side's second goal ruled offside during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
David Lynch was another who found it impossible to be in positive spirits:
“It’s this year’s Liverpool down to a tee to put on their best, most balanced performance up against a low block all season and still somehow find a way not to win the game.
“These days can happen, but it’s so much harder to justify when you’ve dropped so many points already.”
Aadam Patel of BBC Sport damningly highlighted Liverpool’s struggles:
“In the end, the statistics will not make for pretty reading: 74 touches in the opposition box, 32 shots, 11 on target and an xG of 2.95 for Liverpool – but ultimately just one goal and one point.
“For the first time in the Premier League era, Liverpool have failed to beat any of the three newly promoted clubs at Anfield in the same season.
“And not for the first time this season, there were boos from the home crowd when the full-time whistle went.”
The pressure continues to mount on Slot…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BBC Sport’s Keifer MacDonald hinted on X that enough is enough with Liverpool’s head coach now:
“Feels like I’ve watched that same game over and over again for weeks, even months, and nothing changes.
“Failing to beat any of the newly promoted sides at home – for the first time in over 40 years – simply isn’t good enough and is a genuine cause for concern.”
Speaking on TNT Sports, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard admitted the pressure is growing on Slot:
“The team that he’s built and the team that he’s inherited, there should have enough quality and enough talent to open these teams up and score.
“One-nil at home, you’re always going to be at risk of conceding a sloppy goal and then it leads to two points dropped.
“Arne will be in for a difficult week before the Champions League.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté (L) and goalkeeper Alisson Becker react to conceeding the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Finally, commentator Keith Costigan bemoaned Slot’s man-management after the break:
“Disastrous result against a really poor Burnley side.
“Not clinical enough in front of goal and man management in second half again suspect. Top four in real jeopardy with this kind of result.”