Ever since Xabi Alonso left Real Madrid, more and more questions have been asked about Arne Slot’s Liverpool future.
Until the Reds can string together a winning run, there will be no escape from sacking talk for the Dutchman.
A large cohort of Liverpool fans are sick of Slot, seeing the results and lacklustre performances as an indicator that fresh ideas are needed.
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Their eyes will have lit up seeing former top target Alonso now available for hire. As for the club, their thoughts have been revealed.
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Xabi Alonso pictured during Real Madrid's La Liga match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu (Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto
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James Pearce has the latest on Slot and Alonso from Liverpool
Saturday’s draw is just another reason for patience with Slot to wear thin.
That’s three home games against promoted sides without a win, and in each case, the performance was not up to par.
Despite this, James Pearce revealed the morning after that Liverpool’s stance on Slot is unchanged.
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As he writes for The Athletic: “Slot retains the backing of FSG, who have no plans to follow the lead of rivals Manchester United and Chelsea by making a managerial change mid-campaign.
“However, if he’s going to stop haemorrhaging support among the fanbase he needs to find momentum, and fast.”
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, talks with Florian Wirtz during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Liverpool are not the type of club to make rash decisions, and they are remaining patient. That being said, Pearce is quick to clarify that the stance can change, and everyone is aware of the free agent who could replace Slot if things get worse.
He continues: “There appeared to be no obvious replacement for those demanding change. That’s no longer the case following Xabi Alonso’s exit from Real Madrid…
“It’s unclear when or where Alonso will look to embark on a new challenge but with every setback Liverpool endure, the noise will crank up. Slot can only silence it by finding solutions to the problems facing him.”
The problems Slot needs to fix
It’s getting more and more difficult to pinpoint the actual issues behind Liverpool’s slump.
Take the Burnley game, for example. That was the most xG Liverpool have created all season, but they could only manage one goal over 90 minutes.
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They created plenty vs Burnley…
Hugo Ekitike tugs at his shorts in frustration after having a goal disallowed during Liverpool's Premier League match against Burnley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Jan Kruger).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jan Kruger
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Defensively, the performances of Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez have been a problem all season, but the left-back has turned a corner of late.
Is it the midfield? Slot has changed the pecking order in that position a few times this season, but no one is playing at their best.
It’s tough. Really it feels more like a team issue than one of individuals. Tactics not working.
If you ask most fans, they just want to be entertained when watching Liverpool, or they want to be winning every week. You can take away one, but not both.
Slot has his work cut out for him to keep FSG on side.
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