Slot Under Fire After Shock No-Show

Arne Slot’s turbulent week at Liverpool took another twist after he pulled out of a prestigious
awards ceremony at the last minute, just hours after his team’s humiliating 3-0 home defeat to
Nottingham Forest. The pressure is intensifying on last season’s title-winning boss, whose side
have now suffered six losses in their opening 12 league matches — including consecutive three-
goal defeats for the first time since 1965.

Anfield erupted in boos at full-time as fans turned on a squad rebuilt with a record £450million
summer outlay, while even club favourite Jamie Redknapp admitted a title defence is already out
of reach. Slot, who was due to be crowned Manager of the Season at the Northern Football
Writers Association awards, mysteriously failed to appear at his table, according to the Mail. His
absence only added fuel to the growing speculation surrounding his future, especially as even
Erik ten Hag attended the same event last year shortly before being dismissed by Manchester
United.

Big-money signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz — costing a combined £250million —
have also come under scrutiny, with neither registering a goal or assist in the Premier League and
both battling fitness issues. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s defensive record has collapsed, already
conceding 20 goals after letting in 41 across the whole of last season.

The latest defeat places Liverpool among just four defending champions to lose six or more of
their opening 12 games, joining Blackburn (1995-96), Chelsea (2015-16), and Leicester (2016-
17). Slot must now rally his rattled squad ahead of a Champions League clash with PSV on
Wednesday, before a demanding Premier League run against West Ham, Sunderland, and Leeds,
followed by another European test against Inter Milan.