It’s a measure of how much Liverpool Football Club values continuity that there have been only 22 full-time managers in their storied 133-year history. For perspective, Tottenham Hotspur have had nearly as many this century alone. Starting with Tom Watson in the 19th century, three Liverpool managers have presided over 500 games or more. A fourth, Jurgen Klopp, almost made it to that landmark, finishing with 491 matches in charge.
Arne Slot, who has been on the touchline for 76 games now, has a win percentage (63.16) better than Klopp, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish and Bill Shankly – widely considered the club’s equivalent of Mount Rushmore. Let that sink in first. Viewed in isolation, those numbers suggest that the very idea of sacking Slot is preposterous. But the recent horror run – most fans weren’t even alive the last time Liverpool lost nine out of 12 games across competitions – that has included two abject home defeats means that Sunday’s game away to West Ham looms almost as a must-win encounter.
Sources with an ear to the ground at Anfield suggest that Slot’s position isn’t under threat, especially after the club backed him with a staggering outlay of over 400 million pounds in the summer transfer window. Decision-makers are also acutely aware of the impact of Diogo Jota’s tragic death in July. Not only did that deprive Liverpool of one of their ace game-changers – especially as a substitute – but it also took away one of the dressing room’s most popular figures.
Slot also can’t be blamed for the dismal form of some key figures in last season’s title-winning campaign. Virgil van Dijk’s bizarre handball that gifted PSV Eindhoven a penalty and the lead on Wednesday night was symptomatic of how poor he has been this campaign. Up front, Mo Salah has been more of a rusty shaving blade than scimitar, while Alexis Mac Allister has hardly got into second gear in midfield.
The marquee signings – Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz – haven’t settled at all. Wirtz has struggled with the pace and physicality of the league, while Isak is only now getting back to full fitness after missing most of pre-season. Milos Kerkez has not been able to adjust to a team that likes to play on the front foot, and Jeremie Frimpong has had persistent injury issues. Giovanni Leoni looked a colossus on his debut in the League Cup, but hurt his knee late in the game and won’t be back till late 2026.
With the exception of Dominik Szoboszlai, no player can really hold their head up high. The Hungarian has been exceptional, channeling the hurt of missing out on the World Cup with a string of displays that have highlighted energy, skill and adaptability.
There are enough folks around Anfield who will urge patience. Dalglish, in particular, will remember that even the legendary Paisley – who won six league titles in nine seasons at the helm – went through a similar trough. Liverpool had a shocking 1980-81 season, finishing fifth with just 17 wins from 42 matches. That they won the European Cup, beating mighty Real Madrid, deflected attention away from that debacle.
But when the next season began in similar fashion, the knives were unsheathed. Manchester City came to Anfield on Boxing Day and trounced the champions of Europe 3-1. That result left Liverpool 12th in the table, exactly where they are now, with just six wins from 17 matches. Paisley, raised in the Northeast’s coal-mining heartland and someone who had served with the Desert Rats in WW II, was never one to panic though. The new players he had recruited – the likes of Ian Rush and Mark Lawrenson – duly bedded in and the team went on a run of 18 wins in 20 league matches to win the title by four points from Ipswich.
Given Arsenal’s intimidating form, retaining the title is almost certainly beyond Liverpool. But there is still Champions League qualification to scrap for, and a European campaign that can still be salvaged. Slot won plaudits aplenty last season. If he can somehow do a Paisley and rescue both himself and his squad, that stature will only be enhanced. But on the evidence of the last two thrashings, it will be a Labour of Hercules.
Also Read: For More Sports Related News: Follow RevSportz