Jurgen Klopp verdict speaks volumes as Liverpool humiliation heaps pressure on Arne Slot

Klopp

Via Liverpool.com

Jurgen Klopp has already leaped to the defence of Arne Slot as Liverpool's dreadful run continues.

What some had hoped was a dip in form has now spiraled into a full-blown crisis, following the Reds' 3-0 meltdown at home against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The shock defeat extends Liverpool's dire run this season to six losses in their last seven matches across all competitions, having previously been defeated 3-0 by Manchester City before the November international break.

The reigning Premier League champions' form took a nosedive after the 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in late September.

With his team now in the bottom half of the table, Slot's hopes of defending his Premier League title are now unlikely, and the Dutchman is under intense pressure to turn things around and avoid what was unthinkable just two months ago - his potential dismissal.

However, former manager Klopp's comments at the start of the season, when Liverpool were beginning to show signs of struggle under Slot, albeit not to this extent, called for calm and patience.

The German urged fans to give his successor time as the team was undergoing a transition after a record-breaking summer of spending in the transfer market.

Reflecting on the initial transition a year ago, Klopp recently said on The Diary of a CEO podcast:

Klopp "We had a lot of contact after that. He’s a super good guy. He got the best out of this team, and they became champions in an incredible manner.

"It's not about Arne showing the world what he can do - it's about getting the best out of the team. That's exactly what he did.

“Change always has an impact. And change always needs time.

"If he keeps the exact same team as last season - Darwin Nunez still there, Luis Diaz still there, for example - they start playing and have problems, [people say] ‘We need change.’

"Now the new guys are there, and they are really good players. It’s just not working out at the minute.”

Klopp summarized his thoughts in three words, saying: "Development needs time,"

before adding:"Nobody can change that. People need time to adapt. It's all good."

Despite his assessment, there are certain issues that Slot must address immediately.

Some decisions, such as persisting with record signing Alexander Isak up front instead of Hugo Ekitike, and the lack of midfield balance in the team, have frustrated supporters.

Liverpool's defensive issues have also been a recurring theme since the season got underway, with Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk both noticeably struggling for form. Injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have led to Dominik Szoboszlai being deployed out of his natural position at right back, leaving many confused as to why the Dutch manager has not opted to start Joe Gomez in that role more often.

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