Slot banks on luck turning for his misfiring champions

Even as Liverpool are in a slump of staggering proportions, Arne Slot has one fewer critic. In his own family, anyway. In March, as Liverpool cruised towards the Premier League title, the Dutchman revealed his father had found fault with their performances. In tougher times, however, Arend Slot has become more sympathetic. A former coach of VV Bergentheim, an amateur team in the Netherlands, he has some insight into the job and its demands. Now, however, parental duties have taken over.

- RICHARD JOLLY SENIOR FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT

"I don't think he likes it more," said his son. "As a dad, when things go well, you can criticise more. As a dad, he knows how difficult it is for me. To give me another hit is not the best thing you can do as a dad. He is a bit more supportive now than when we are winning."

But if Slot Sr has changed tack, the more pertinent question is whether his son can do likewise. After nine defeats in 12 games, it can feel as though the Liverpool head coach is looking for a change in fortune by doing the same things with the same players. The definition of madness or a firm belief in his methods? Slot is waiting for the luck to even itself out, arguing Liverpool's talent is such that they should not be losing so many games. Which, while true, does not necessarily constitute a strategy for revival.

If Slot will not change, his view is that, realistically, he cannot. “I don’t know what is in your head, but if, for example, you want another system with five defenders that could be an issue,” he said. "I don't even have five defenders." If that reflects the injuries to Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, it also shows the choices Liverpool made, with only four centre-backs in the squad even before the Italian was ruled out. The only time Slot used a back three was in the Carabao Cup game against Crystal Palace. Liverpool lost 3-0.