Arne Slot has been under pressure for much of the campaign as his Liverpool side has endured a difficult defence of the Premier League title they won last season
Dirk Kuyt
Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt
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Dirk Kuyt believes there is nothing new about the pressure Arne Slot is under – and managing a club the size of Liverpool is always going to bring its challenges.
Even though Slot led the Reds to Premier League title glory last season, this campaign has brought plenty of problems for the Dutchman.
Not only are his side already out of the title race, but they are also in a battle to secure Champions League football next season. And the recent defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion was Liverpool’s tenth in the league so far this season.
Slot has come under mounting pressure at various points across the current campaign, and his side were even booed off after conceding another costly late goal against Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the month.
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But Kuyt believes the pressure his fellow countryman is under is no different to the pressure Jurgen Klopp found himself under at various times during his near nine years in charge at Anfield as he strived to pick up positive results.
He said: “I think if you are the manager of Liverpool, there is always pressure and I think if you asked Jurgen the same question, everyone showed today he was and is really loved.
“But he also had to get results for a club like Liverpool, so I don’t think much changes for Arne because he knows he has to get results.
“It was (that way) since the first moment he came in during his first season, and it is also the same situation when you are winning the Premier League.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, celebrates with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Slot won the Premier League with Liverpool less than a year ago. (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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“It is also something that I faced as a player. You always need to get results. People expect that you will have success and that success is something that comes with a club like Liverpool.
“There is also always pressure and there was during the time with Jurgen, and when he came back, everyone saw he is really relaxed because he’s not the manager of Liverpool anymore.
“But I also think everyone could see how much of an effect it was to be involved for such a long time as manager for Liverpool, although he was very successful.
“I think every manager there is a lot of pressure to get that success, and I think Arne should be very proud of his success he has already achieved in such a short period as a manager of Liverpool.
“And who knows, Liverpool have done it before, not being very successful in the league and still been very successful in Europe, so I really hope that will be the case.”