Liverpool's cup capitulation ramps up pressure on Slot
A year ago today, Liverpool fans were still basking in the glow of a Merseyside derby win that took them to the brink of the Premier League title. Defeat at Fulham a couple of days later was merely a blip and before the month was through, it was sunshine and champagne at Anfield as the league was won with a 5-1 demolition of Tottenham . Celebrations on the pitch and in the stands were long and loud, while outside the ground and across the city the party raged even longer and louder.
As fans went through the whole repertoire of songs, the name of Arne Slot was bellowed with gusto having taken on the impossible job of replacing Jurgen Klopp and then leading Liverpool to glory in his first season in charge. Nobody that day would have believed that less than 12 months on, a fanbase so united behind its team and its manager would be, at best, apathetic as to whether Slot remains in the job. Saturday's harrowing 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals was just the latest in an ever-growing list of dismal days for Liverpool and their supporters in a season most cannot wait to see the back of.
It was the 15th loss in all competitions for the Reds this term, their most in a single season since losing 18 times under Brendan Rodgers in 2014-15. "You're getting sacked in the morning," was the chant directed at Slot by the gleeful City supporters as their side scored four goals in 20 minutes either side of half-time. While many of those who had stuck it out in the away end to hear it may have agreed with the sentiment, there remains no indication that the club are planning to get rid of Slot, either now or at the end of the season.
"It cannot always go positive and you have to stand up when things are not so positive and that's what it is about now," the Dutchman told TNT Sports. Haaland hat-trick helps Man City thrash toothless Liverpool 'Really damaging' - Murphy on Liverpool's FA Cup defeat Slot may retain the support of his superiors at Liverpool for now but their capitulation at the Etihad means the pressure has been ramped up further before a huge Champions League quarter-final first leg at Paris St-Germain on Wednesday. The manner of the loss at City does little to inspire confidence they can avoid a similar outcome against the European champions, who so ruthlessly tore Chelsea apart in the last round.
Having started brightly and more than matched Pep Guardiola's side for the first 35 minutes, Liverpool unravelled after going behind to an Erling Haaland penalty. The Norway striker's second on the stroke of half-time effectively killed the game, and two quick goals after the break made absolutely sure. "The fighting spirit wasn't there enough, the mentality wasn't there enough," Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai told TNT Sports.