After Liverpool's 0-4 thrashing by Manchester City, Ian Ladyman, football editor of the Daily Mail, wrote that the Reds' manager Arne Slot is in deep danger of being sacked. He had a frank conversation with Slot after the match, and the Dutchman's use of the word "forgot" perfectly sums up Liverpool's decline this season.
Ladyman wrote in his column that Liverpool sack managers due to results, but attitude can accelerate the process. Slot is now firmly in the danger zone. The excuses that have softened the blow all season – losing three-quarters of his attacking firepower, and Mohamed Salah being "gone" mentally, physically and emotionally – still stand. However, as the season draws to a close, Liverpool's decline goes far beyond these factors.
At the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Slot led a group of players who were no longer willing or able to meet the basic requirements of the game for him consistently. In the Premier League, you certainly expect better performances, yet these are fundamental demands.
Ladyman had a brief exchange with Slot after the match. He bluntly asked the Dutchman why his players repeatedly failed to track runners, block crosses, and win aerial duels in the box.
Slot replied: “I disagree with what you say, but you are absolutely right at certain moments. If you only look at the goals conceded, I saw untracked runs, unblocked crosses, and duels not won in front of goal. Every time we 'forgot' to block crosses, 'forgot' to defend in front of goal, 'forgot' to track runs, a goal was conceded.”
Ladyman pointed out that Slot's use of the word "forgot" is striking. Liverpool's players have become better at saying the right things this season rather than doing the right things. On the pitch, they perform correctly up to a certain point, but collapse completely once they switch off. This is not just a tactical issue, but a deep-seated subconscious change in the players. Against sides like Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, a 5% to 10% drop-off is the difference between success and failure.
Slot is now in his "red zone". Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final first leg away at Paris Saint-Germain will be his chance to save his job. He can only survive if he instills belief, energy, confidence and sheer willpower into his players before they step onto the pitch.
