Liverpool legend criticizes fans with 'short memories' amid Arne Slot pressure

The Liverpool head coach is facing increasing pressure after drawing four matches in a row, with fans unimpressed with the often flat performances and slow style of play

Arne Slot has given Liverpool a reason to be cheerful in the new year.(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Former Liverpool European-Cup winning captain Phil Thompson has accused supporters calling for Arne Slot to be sacked of having “short memories” and feels the impact of Diogo Jota’s death has been overlooked by many.

Slot has come under increasing pressure in recent months due to the team’s underwhelming performances and poor results. After losing nine in 12 during the autumn months, Slot has steadied the ship somewhat, and Liverpool is currently in the midst of a 12-game unbeaten streak.

However, that run includes draws at home to three promoted sides and Liverpool’s fans have often been unimpressed with the slow, methodical style of play. Jamie Carragher this week claimed Slot was “playing with the handbrake on”, and there were boos at Anfield after Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Burnley.

However, Thompson said chanaging head coach would be a mistake, and even warned the Reds could be repeating the errors of fierce rivals Manchester United.

“I'm more than pleased [with Slot]. I get really disappointed at the moment with some of our fanbase,” Thompson said on the latest episode of the Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.

“Six months, probably less than that, when it all started rankling, people want the change in the manager.

Slot has faced increasing pressure in recent months(Image: Getty Images)

“I think, 'Where are we going with this?' We've just won the league with this manager. Winning it against Spurs. People swarming into Merseyside from all over the world. What short memories

“Just six months ago, we had the parade of all parades of the league trophy. People were saying, 'It's Jurgen Klopp's side', but no, he's still got to do it. We won it in a canter.”

Thompson, who won seven titles with Liverpool during the ‘70s and ‘80s, now works at the club in a media capacity.

Phil Thompson believes supporters must get behind beleaguered head coach Arne Slot(Image: )

Knowing the internal mechanisms at Anfield, the former defender claims those criticising Slot are overlooking the immense grief those at the club are still processing after Jota’s tragic death last summer.

“I think it's far too soon to be questioning the manager and the team when it was a settled team he had from Jurgen Klopp,” he opined.

“We had so many top players, and then Diogo Jota and his brother dying - they're young men. How did they have to deal with that after it?

“All these things pulling together just doesn't make it right [to sack Slot]. We remember Diogo after 20 minutes in each game. We have no.20 in the car park, his locker space - there's a reminder so much.”