Slot Offers Zero Justifications and Pledges to Plot Way From Slump

Arne Slot declared he had to “examine my own performance” following the Reds endured a sixth loss in 7 Premier League matches at home against Nottingham Forest and affirmed he would find a way out of the champions’ slump.

Forest, in the relegation zone before kick off, delivered the biggest win at Liverpool's stadium in their history as Liverpool slipped to an eighth defeat in 11 matches in every tournament. The British record signing, the Swedish striker, was again anonymous and the home side argued Murillo’s opener ought to have been disallowed for similar reasons to the captain's chalked-off goal versus City prior to the national team pause. But the manager conceded the responsibility rested with him and offered no alibis.

“Nobody wishes to listen to me now speaking about officiating calls if you lose 3-0 in your own stadium to Nottingham Forest,” said the Reds' boss. “I should examine myself first and my team, but it demonstrates you how a score can change the momentum of a game. Before I was just waiting for us to score a strike. Afterwards we barely generated anything.

“Naturally there is a way out, especially with the talented footballers we have. Regardless if you win or are beaten when you reflect you are always considering: ‘Where can we improve, in what aspects can we make changes?’ but that is different from questioning your abilities.

“I want to emphasise I am responsible for the current defeats. You are responsible when you are winning but also responsible when you are losing. I can not come up with sufficient excuses for us to have the results we have. That is far from acceptable and I am to blame for that.”

Liverpool’s performance unravelled as the coach made multiple offensive substitutions when chasing the match. “It was the identical away at Nottingham Forest last season,” he remarked. “I substituted the French defender out and put on [Diogo] Jota and he found the net straight away to make it 1-1. At that time it was brave, now it’s likely unwise.”

The Anfield side previously were defeated in back-to-back home league games by Nottingham Forest in the sixties. The last time they suffered back-to-back top-flight matches by a three-goal margin was in 1965.

The manager commented: “It was extremely poor. Competing on home soil, conceding 3-0 no matter which opponent you encounter is a terrible outcome. Unexpected if you look at the opening 30 minutes of the game. I did not witness us producing so many chances in the opening 30 minutes perhaps the whole campaign, and the initial occasion they arrived in our penalty area they found the back of the net.

“It did not happen at City, but in all other game we have been the dominant team and were capable to generate opportunities. Lately it is nearly constantly that we miss our chances and the ones we allow find the net.”

Eddie Martinez
Eddie Martinez

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to sharing wisdom on positivity and success.