1 week ago
8
Liverpool fans made their feelings clear on Arne Slot following Sunday’s 2-0 win over West Ham.
The Reds went into the game on the back of a run of nine defeats in 12, while Wednesday’s 4-1 loss against PSV Eindhoven was the third game in a row Liverpool had been beaten by a three-goal scoreline. Unsurprisingly, that has increased the scrutiny and pressure on Slot, with long-term questions being raised over his future as Liverpool boss.
But the Dutchman will sleep a little more soundly on Sunday following a well-deserved 2-0 victory at the London Stadium. The Reds dominated long spells of the game and limited West Ham to a few half-chances throughout the contest in west London.
After a goalless first half, Alexander Isak netted his first Premier League goal for the Reds just before the hour mark, following good combination play from Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo in the build-up.
The latter then doubled Liverpool’s advantage in injury-time as he controlled and powerfully volleyed past Alphonse Areola to put the game beyond doubt.
Understandably, there was a collective sigh of relief from the away end at West Ham. The visiting supporters then showed their enduring support for the beleaguered Liverpool head coach by repeatedly chanting Slot’s name in the closing stages.
It was similar to the win over Aston Villa at the start of the month, when the Kop serenaded the former Feyenoord boss, in a clear sign of fans' continued backing despite the unwanted downturn in form.
Asked on that occasion what it meant to him, Slot replied: “A lot, of course, especially because it happened at 0-0 and not when we were leading and not when we are top of the league.
"When you are in a difficult situation as a club, as a team, and because I'm definitely part of that – it is also a difficult situation for me – and then to get the support the players got but also that I got, that is something what makes this club special.”
Sunday’s 2-0 win sees Liverpool move up to eighth in the Premier League table, and earned the champions a first away win in the league since September 14.
“West Ham made it a difficult game for us, but we did very well defensively. The good thing was that they only had one chance,” Slot told BBC’s Match of the Day at the London Stadium.
“A win, and that was what we mainly needed, and we got a clean sheet as well, which is always helps.
"Not giving anything away to the other team as a gift, as we have done far too many times this season. The other team hardly created a chance except in the final minute through [Jarrod] Bowen."
English (US) ·