Under-pressure Liverpool manager Arne Slot says talks with the club’s owners after the defeat by PSV Eindhoven were the “same conversations” he has had with them since arriving at Anfield, and they will “fight on”.
The Dutch manager is under increasing pressure at Anfield after the Reds suffered a 4-1 defeat to PSV in the Champions League, their ninth loss in 12 games this seaso,n making it their worst run in 71 years.
Asked whether he had spoken to sporting director Richard Hughes or the ownership group after the game, Slot said: “We’ve had the same conversations that we’ve had since I got here.
“We fight on. We try to improve, but the conversations have been the same as they have been for the last one and a half years.”
Slot helped Liverpool secure their 20th league title in May and spent almost £450m on new signings in the summer, including a British record £125m for Alexander Isak.
However, the reigning champions are 12th in the Premier League with six wins and six defeats after 12 matches while they sit 13th in the 36-team league phase of the Champions League.
After their latest defeat, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher said on CBS Sports that Liverpool are “not a sacking club” but “it does get to a stage for any manager at a club where it’s untenable”.
“There is a lot of pressure if you work or play at a top club,” Slot said, speaking before the visit to West Ham on Sunday, 30 November (14:05 GMT).
“And then there is even more when you start losing more games than this club, players or the manager are used to. But there was pressure last season as well for us to win the league.
“But now it’s a different kind of pressure because we have lost so many games.
“In the end, it’s about doing what this club is about. Keep fighting no matter how difficult it is. It would also be nice if we reward ourselves in the moments we play well.”
Slot said he expects to welcome back goalkeeper Alisson from injury while also adding that the issue sustained by forward Hugo Ekitike against PSV “shouldn’t be a big issue.”
“Alisson trained again [on Thursday] with the team, we hope and expect he is available at the weekend,” the Dutchman said.
“[Florian] Wirtz will have his final day of rehab [on Friday] and if all goes well he can train with he team on Saturday.”
Slot’s position not under threat – but concern about Salah
Despite Liverpool’s poor run of form, sources have told BBC Sport that Slot’s position is not under imminent threat.
He has credit in the bank following his Premier League title-winning debut season, while there has been reflection at Anfield that it was a difficult summer of the club with Diogo Jota’s death and the £400m investment attempting to regenerate the squad.
Sporting director Hughes and chief executive Michael Edwards were key in Slot’s appointment, and the Dutchman retains their backing.
Liverpool do not make snap decisions and afforded Brendan Rodgers more than three seasons as manager despite finishing outside the top four twice.
There is, however, internal concern about Mohamed Salah’s performances, with a noticeable drop off in his form.
He is their key forward player but Liverpool’s best attacking performance in the past 12 games came in a 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt – a game Salah did not start.
The Egyptian has scored seven goals in 25 games since his new contract was announced in April, which would be viewed as a good return for some, but the 33-yar-old is judged by standards he has set during his eight years at the club.
Looking ahead to January, Liverpool are interested in reviving their move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi after missing out on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Guehi, who is available for a free transfer in July but has multiple options in England and across Europe, is able to discuss the terms of his next contract with clubs from outside of England in just four weeks’ time.
BBC
