Liverpool have won just five of their last 18 Premier League matches following a 95th-minute defeat at Bournemouth to leave Arne Slot facing intense pressure
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hinted that Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the club’s owners, have no intention of giving him the boot anytime soon. The Reds have won just five times in their last 18 Premier League games, a run that includes a heartbreaking 95th-minute loss to Bournemouth on Saturday night.
Despite facing three lower-ranked teams – Leeds, Burnley and Bournemouth – in 2026, the reigning champions are yet to secure a league win, with two of these matches taking place at Anfield. While Liverpool’s Champions League performance has been somewhat better, with the team poised to finish in the top eight, fans are growing increasingly disillusioned with Slot.
The Merseyside titans are battling to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League, a far cry from the triumphant squad of just a year ago. However, comments made by Slot this week suggest that his bosses, including FSG, have no plans to oust him before the season’s end, reports the Express.
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In a pre-match interview with TNT ahead of the midweek victory over Marseille, Slot stated: “Everyone at the club, me, ownership, sports directors, we know what it takes to make the next step in this transition phase. But sometimes a little bit of patience is needed in that as well.”
These remarks imply that the club’s top brass acknowledge they haven’t provided Slot with the resources he needs to compete this season. Injuries have hampered the Reds, limiting Slot’s options for squad rotation, and the Dutchman is also missing certain player types, such as direct one-vs-one wingers.
Yet curiously, Liverpool have shown no sign of activity in the January transfer window. They didn’t compete with Manchester City for either Antoine Semenyo or Marc Guehi despite having expressed interest in both players prior to this month.
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Joe Gomez’s injury against Bournemouth means Virgil van Dijk is the only centre-back definitely available for the midweek European fixture against Qarabag. Ibrahima Konate is currently absent as he mourns the loss of his father.
Slot made it clear he felt compelled to make certain choices with his team selection at Bournemouth because of injuries. He said: “That’s why I have to credit my players; if you go 2-0 down the way we did, again we showed mentality and fitness to come back into the game against one of the fittest teams in the league – and they only have to play once a week and, of course, that helps.
“That is not an excuse because a club like Liverpool is used to playing three times a week but we mainly do this with the same players and maybe last season that was a bit different. Last season we did not have three long-term injuries as we have now.
“As evident from our line-up, I chose not to play Hugo [Ekitike]. That wasn’t because I didn’t rate him or he wasn’t impressive against Marseille, it was purely because I only have one No.9 fit for the coming weeks and months.
“He was out two weeks ago and with so many games to play, you have to manage his minutes. I think for Jeremie Frimpong, it’s safe to say the same. In the first half he was getting things and after half-time I think I could see the energy running out of him a little bit as well.
“So the end result is you then play two players not in their favourite position with Wata [Endo] and Dom. By the way, they did well, but it is the reality of this moment.”
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