FIRST, BACK TO TOP 4: SLOT

He's unhappy with current spot but defends Salah; no mention of van Dijk's poor form

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Liverpool are showing an alarming vulnerability in defence, with Virgil van Dijk's form a cause for concern.

(PHOTO: AFP)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is aiming for just a top-four spot for now, as his team travel to Leeds United for their Premier League clash on Dec 6 with mounting doubts over whether he can stop the rot.

Slot’s defending champions have fallen hard this season and are showing an alarming vulnerability at the back, with the poor form of captain Virgil van Dijk a growing cause for concern.

The Reds are languishing in ninth place, winning just two of their last nine league games.

“It’s definitely our first aim to come back to the top four because we are not happy with the position we are in at the moment,” Slot said on Dec 5.

“For me that says how good the Premier League is this season. It gets better every year.”

Whether Liverpool can retain their title is another question, as the Dutchman’s immediate focus is to brace for another difficult match following their 1-1 draw with Sunderland in midweek.

“Leeds went very aggressive in one-v-one (in their 3-1 win over Chelsea) and then a low block to stop chances. It is difficult for us that style,” he added.