22 hours ago
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Jamie Redknapp has taken aim at what he describes as “nonsense” surrounding Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
The Reds entered the campaign as favourites to defend their Premier League crown after last season’s triumph and a summer outlay of roughly $600 million on new signings. Yet things have unravelled quickly for Slot and his squad, further emphasized by a disappointing 1-1 draw to Sunderland at Anfield.
Slot’s team have failed to win back-to-back league matches since victories over Burnley and Everton in September, and across all competitions they have managed just four wins in fourteen outings.
At Anfield, the numbers are equally troubling, with only two wins in their last seven home fixtures.
The uncertainty has sparked frenzied speculation about who could replace the Dutchman, with many hoping for Jurgen Klopp to make a sensational return to Merseyside.
However, Redknapp has dismissed the rumors and believes Slot deserves more respect. Speaking ahead of Leeds vs. Liverpool on Sky Sports, Redknapp said: "It is a big night for Arne Slot, but I don't subscribe to the theory that he is under pressure. I have heard some absolute nonsense this last few weeks.
"Slot has been on a rotten run but deserves a lot more respect than that. He won the league in May, he has come here and been fantastic.
"They had the most difficult pre-season any club has ever had. One of their talisman, every one loved Diogo Jota, they lost him and then all of a sudden they have had to deal with that. It's been hard for everyone concerned. People should know better and have a bit more respect for what Slot has done at Liverpool."
Slot faced criticism from supporters over his handling of Federico Chiesa, who came off the bench to prevent Sunderland from scoring a late winner. Prior to that, questions had already been raised about his overall management of the squad.
While Slot is likely to be given time—owing to several understandable mitigating factors—his performances, tactical decisions, substitutions and man-management will need to demonstrate clear signs of progress if he is to justify remaining in charge.
Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher has admitted he does not want Liverpool to change head coach mid-season. He said: "The idea of Liverpool changing the manager who won the league, Liverpool have never done that. Then, who do you get? The idea of an interim manager just feels like, who and how?”
Liverpool.com says: Supporters don’t expect instant perfection, but they do expect clear improvement. Despite the growing pressure and outside criticism, Liverpool fans may need to stick by Arne Slot a little longer, which they will if he can turn it around.
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