Liverpool's Manager Offers Zero Justifications and Pledges to Plot Route From Malaise

Arne Slot declared he had to “examine my own performance” after Liverpool endured a sixth loss in 7 Premier League matches at home to Forest and affirmed he would find a way out of the champions’ poor run.

Nottingham Forest, in the relegation zone before kick off, produced the biggest win at Liverpool's stadium in their history as Liverpool fell to an eighth loss in eleven fixtures in every tournament. The most expensive domestic acquisition, Alexander Isak, was again unnoticeable and the home side argued the defender's first goal ought to have been disallowed for comparable grounds to Virgil van Dijk’s chalked-off goal versus Manchester City prior to the international break. But the manager admitted the buck rested with him and offered no alibis.

“Nobody wishes to hear me now speaking about refereeing decisions if you are defeated 3-0 in your own stadium to Nottingham Forest,” said the Liverpool head coach. “I should examine my own role first and my team, but it demonstrates you how a goal can alter the flow of a game. Earlier I was just waiting for us to score a goal. Later we hardly created anything.

“Naturally there is a way out, especially with the talented players we have. No matter if you win or are beaten when you look back you are always considering: ‘In which areas can we improve, where can we make changes?’ but that is different from doubting your abilities.

“I wish to stress I am accountable for the present losses. You are responsible when you are winning but also responsible when you are defeated. I can not come up with enough excuses for us to have the results we have. That is far from good enough and I am responsible for that.”

The team's display fell apart as Slot made several offensive changes when chasing the game. “It was the identical on the road at Nottingham Forest last season,” he said. “I took Ibou [Ibrahima Konaté] out and put on the Portuguese forward and he found the net straight away to equalize at 1-1. Then it was brave, now it’s probably unwise.”

Liverpool last lost back-to-back home Premier League fixtures against Forest in 1963. The most recent occasion they lost back-to-back league games by a three-goal margin was in 1965.

The manager said: “It was extremely poor. Playing at home, losing 3-0 regardless of which team you encounter is a terrible result. Unexpected if you consider the first half-hour of the match. I did not witness us producing so many chances in the initial half-hour maybe the entire campaign, and the initial occasion they arrived in our penalty area they found the back of the net.

“It wasn’t at City, but in all other game we have been the dominant side and were capable to create opportunities. Recently it is almost consistently that we miss our opportunities and the ones we allow go in.”

Jennifer Murphy DVM
Jennifer Murphy DVM

Sustainable architect and writer passionate about eco-friendly construction and innovative dome designs.