Arne Slot has opened up about the psychological toll of Liverpool's challenging season, admitting that the weight of underperformance is "heavy" on a squad "used to winning." As the Reds prepare for a crucial Premier League showdown with Chelsea this Saturday lunchtime, the Dutch manager didn't shy away from addressing the struggles that have defined their campaign.
Currently sitting in fourth place, Liverpool find themselves a staggering 18 points behind league leaders Arsenal—a far cry from the title-winning form fans have come to expect. Last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Manchester United marked their 18th loss across all competitions this season, with 11 of those coming in the Premier League alone. To put that in perspective, it's the club's highest loss tally since the 2014/15 season under Brendan Rodgers, and only three times since their promotion to the top flight in 1962 have they suffered more defeats in a single campaign.
With silverware now out of reach, securing a Champions League spot has become the sole remaining objective for the Merseyside club. Slot didn't mince words about the mental strain on his players, saying: "It always weighs heavy on players if you lose more games than you would want, especially at a club like this. These players are used to winning. The moment these players start to lose, that is never a nice feeling to have, especially if you play for this club."
Despite the league struggles, Slot pointed to a silver lining in Europe, noting that the team's Champions League performances have met their high standards. "Every team in the last years have gone out when there is two knock-out games. Although, at Anfield we could have gone really close if VAR hadn't overturned a decision that has usually not been overturned by VAR," he reflected, hinting at the fine margins that have defined their season.
As Liverpool gear up to face Chelsea, the question remains: can a squad accustomed to success rediscover their winning mentality? For fans and players alike, the answer will determine whether this season ends with a fight for the top four or a deeper descent into disappointment.