Arne Slot is walking into one of the most defining games of his Liverpool career. The Reds face Aston Villa this weekend, and according to multiple reports, the club expects an immediate response after a troubling run of form.
Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield has turned up the pressure on Slot, whose side have now lost six of their last seven games in all competitions.
For a club used to competing at the top, that kind of streak has raised alarm bells both inside and outside the dressing room.
Palace fans didn’t hold back either, chanting “sacked in the morning” toward the Dutch manager — though there’s no immediate threat to his job, the message from the stands was clear. The atmosphere at Anfield has shifted, and results now matter more than ever.
The “must-win” moment for Arne Slot
According to Football Insider, Liverpool’s hierarchy views the Aston Villa clash as “massive,” especially after Slot made 10 changes and fielded a young side in the Carabao Cup defeat. The club reportedly wants him to turn things around “quickly” or risk facing serious scrutiny.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, a source close to the situation said:
“The pressure is definitely ramping up. Liverpool’s form has been nowhere near good enough, with six defeats in seven. He took a big risk resting his main players for the Palace game, but if Villa doesn’t go well, there’ll be a lot of backlash.”
Villa arrive at Anfield fresh from a 1-0 win over Manchester City, which only adds to the challenge for Slot’s struggling squad. And with Real Madrid and Manchester City coming up next, the timing couldn’t be tougher for the Liverpool boss.
Reports suggest that figures behind the scenes are worried about some player performances, while former United scout Mick Brown has even called the recent displays “a concern.”
For Slot, the message is clear — results, not explanations, will do the talking. He may have gambled on rest in midweek, but now, it’s all about getting the Reds firing again. In football terms, this is a must-win — and perhaps, a must-not-lose — situation.