Arne Slot’s pre-Sunderland press conference is unlikely to have gone down well with Liverpool fans.
The Dutchman has moved away from talking about PSG and set pieces every week, but he’s doing little to inspire a disgruntled fanbase during a difficult period.
Liverpool fans are tired of Slot, and who can blame them after just one win in their last seven Premier League matches.
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Cody Gakpo pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United at Elland Road.
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Even Jamie Carragher, who had previously backed the 47-year-old, is starting to worry about the manager’s future after the Reds fell out of the Champions League places.
They go into the Sunderland meeting on Wednesday already five points adrift of Manchester United, who are in action against West Ham United on Tuesday evening.
Ahead of facing off with Regis Le Bris’ men, Slot held his pre-match presser on February 10.
Calvin Ramsay won’t start for Liverpool vs Sunderland
One of the primary talking points coming out of the press conference was Liverpool’s right-back problems.
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There are no fit, natural right-backs ready to start, with Joe Gomez only just returning to training on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, we already know Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended, so he isn’t an option to fill in.
Yet, Slot has now confirmed in his presser that Calvin Ramsay, the only actual right-back available to Liverpool, will not be starting.
When asked why Ramsay isn’t playing, he said: “In general, if you don’t win a game, the players who aren’t playing become the best players in the squad. That’s the same everywhere in the world.
“This is an example of that as well. I just want to protect all my players. I’ve chosen other players [over Ramsay] until now and that’s also what I’m going to do tomorrow.”
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Trey Nyoni in action during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park
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Three Liverpool youngsters need loan moves
Slot has been called out for his use of the Liverpool Academy players already this year, which is more than understandable.
The 2025/26 Premier League season is essentially over for the Reds, and it’s become clear that the manager can’t get a tune out of the current group of players.
So, why on earth would he not start to hand more youngsters a chance in the first team?
The Ramsay decision is especially infuriating, as if he’s not going to play now when Liverpool are so light on right-back options, when will he ever start in the league?
It’s a similarly frustrating story further up the pitch, with rising talent Rio Ngumoha yet to start a league fixture this term despite the continued poor displays from Cody Gakpo and lack of senior options on the left with Alexander Isak injured and Wirtz needed in the middle while Szoboszlai is out/covering in defence.
On top of Ramsay and Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni is also being pushed aside despite what was an excellent pre-season from the midfielder.
Liverpool’s midfield has been called a ‘big problem’ this term. So again, why won’t Slot look to his Academy to try and inject some much-needed life into the team?
Unfortunately, it seems clear that young players just won’t be given a chance as long as he is manager, and it would be best for the trio if they were loaned out in the summer of 2026.
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