Struggling Slot must change tack, starting with the defence

INJURIES HAVE PLAYED A PART, BUT BOSS HAS MADE SOME CURIOUS TEAM SELECTIONS

- By IAN DOYLE

Joe Gomez

EVER mind the taunts from the away end or the grumbles and smattering of jeers that greeted the final whistle. For Arne Slot, the most worrying sound of Saturday would have been the clacking of plastic seats that was initiated by the cheap concession of a goal from Morgan Gibbs-White that ensured one of the grimmest home defeats in recent memory for Liverpool.

With 12 minutes remaining and Forest three goals up, a steady number of Reds supporters had seen enough as they started their trudge back home having witnessed another dismal showing from the outgoing Premier League champions.

There were echoes of Jurgen Klopp's infamous lament of feeling alone when fans streamed out long before the end of his first defeat in charge at home to Crystal Palace a decade earlier, albeit that when Liverpool were only 2-1 behind rather than heading for a record-equalling Anfield Premier League reverse.

Slot, though, cut a similar solitary figure on the touchline as the sight of so many empty seats behind him in the Main Stand made for a jarring image.

These are difficult times for the Reds boss, who is negotiating the difficulties that many of his predecessors experienced during their first season in charge.

Unlike all of the appointments during the Premier League era, Slot took on a team that was ready-built for success rather than one either in decline or simply failing.

Only now, after a £450million summer rebuild that was primarily through necessity than design, is the Dutchman having to contend with issues with which those before him were more instantly faced.

Getting any wavering fans onside will be an immediate task, starting with the Champions League visit of PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. The matchgoing Liverpool support are still very much with Slot, but even those loyal are becoming a little unsettled by the manner of the last three defeats, all by a 3-0 scoreline.