By Adam Crist

Amidst all the talk about this season’s torrid form, there has been a small but ever-growing enclave of fans suggesting that perhaps Slot is not up to muster. So, in the interest of the club maintaining a bit of long-term sense, here are four reasons why Slot should be supported.

He led the club to its 20th League title

Firstly, the obvious one. He managed Liverpool to the title last season, his first season in charge after replacing Jurgen Klopp. That places him in a small group of managers to have reached the summit of the English game. Although you could argue that Manchester City's poor form was the main contributor, it’s essentially hearsay to frame the argument this way. No one knows what would have happened had City been as brilliant as usual but regardless, the Dutchman mastered a feat that has engraved his name in the club's history. 

Squad Rebuild

There has been a massive squad rebuild and retool. Various players departed and many new players have arrived, all with vastly different profiles to those who left. Luis Diaz was a pressing, direct player, who was very effective against a low block, with runs in behind or take-ons. No player that arrived fulfills that role.

Of all the attacking players who potentially could replace him, none have those same qualities. Wirtz wants the ball to his feet, to run downhill with players in front of him. Ekitike, a striker, is the next in line, while a good dribbler, his intention is not to break down a press. Plus he also wants the ball to his feet.

This is before you mention the departure of Trent. As much as Bradley has been decent, when he’s actually played, the range of passing and unbridled creativity of Trent, is almost impossible to replicate from the right back position. This huge retooling means that Slot’s tactics, which he would have been criticised for changing if he had done so at the start of the season, have to be altered to adjust for this, which takes time.

Liverpool show patience

This has never been a club to take a knee-jerk reaction to situations. Thankfully, unlike other clubs, our ownership has always taken a measured approach to hiring and firing. If we were to fire Slot now it would fly against the whole ethos of the club, doing far more damage than good. In the unlikely situation that Slot was fired, I would hope it would be a thoroughly vetted decision, with a larger sample size than 12 games.

Klopp also experienced poor form

Klopp also experienced bad spells, like now. The 2022/23 season was objectively poor by the German's standards. Indeed, there are certain similarities between then and now; teams that were tired and ridden with injury, after long runs in various competitions, with some tough losses along the way.

However, the run did not last with an 11 game unbeaten run towards the end of the season, they showed signs of being a pretty good team. This isn’t intended to argue that the same will happen, that would be conjecture. Instead, it shows that with time and faith even the worst form can be turned around.

So let's learn from our history and give Slot a bit of grace, or at the very least, not sack him.