Arne Slot was notably absent from a major awards ceremony on Sunday, a decision that has raised eyebrows just 24 hours after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.
The Liverpool manager had been due to collect the Northern Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year award in recognition of his title-winning achievement in his debut Premier League season, but pulled out of attending the event at short notice.
Slot, who masterminded Liverpool’s triumphant campaign last year, now finds himself grappling with a period of deep instability.
The club, despite spending lavishly on the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike back in the summer, have now lost eight of their past 11 matches in all competitions.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The downturn has placed increasing scrutiny on the Dutchman, whose early success has quickly given way to pressure and frustration at Anfield.
Liverpool dispatched former midfielder and club ambassador Gary McAllister to collect Slot’s award in his place.
According to the Daily Mail, McAllister, who had been attending Leeds United’s match against Aston Villa earlier in the day, was contacted at half-time and asked to stand in on behalf of the 47-year-old coach.
Five things to know about Liverpool boss Arne Slot
|PA
Arne Slot was notably absent from a major awards ceremony on Sunday, a decision that has raised eyebrows just 24 hours after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest
|PA
He delivered Slot’s apologies to guests and read a short message expressing the manager’s gratitude, in which Slot stated he was “extremely proud” to receive the honour.
Sunday’s event drew a number of high-profile figures from across the game, including Leeds manager Daniel Farke, Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson and Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe.
The last Premier League manager of similar stature to attend in person was Erik ten Hag, who received recognition last year for Manchester United’s FA Cup victory.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Rugby row erupts with England star accused of being a 'bully' following brawl after Argentina win
- Cristiano Ronaldo scores stunning bicycle kick at age of 40 just days after Donald Trump White House meeting
- Gary Neville breaks down in tears after allegations of 'racial inequality' at university he founded
Liverpool were poor on Saturday as Nottingham Forest cruised to a 3-0 win at Anfield
|PA
Within days of his appearance, Ten Hag was dismissed by the club’s hierarchy and replaced by Ruben Amorim, an unfortunate parallel not lost on those present.
Liverpool’s defeat against Forest marked a historic result for their opponents, who secured consecutive wins at Anfield for the first time since 1978.
Slot accepted personal responsibility for the team’s latest setback, using his post-match remarks to highlight both his accountability and the wider struggles affecting his squad.
“I want to emphasise I am responsible for the current losses,” he said.
“You are responsible when you are winning but also responsible when you are losing.
"I can never come up with enough excuses for us to have the results we have. That is far from good enough and I am responsible for that.”
Arne Slot is under huge pressure at Liverpool in the wake of their defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday
|PA
The manager insisted that Liverpool had dominated most recent matches but had been repeatedly undone by wastefulness in front of goal and lapses at the back.
“Lately, almost constantly, we miss our chances and the ones that go that we conceded – that will not continue all season,” Slot argued.
He called for a spark to shift momentum, adding that scoring first would offer a “big energy boost” for his players.
Despite the frustration, the Liverpool boss praised supporters who remained at Anfield until the final whistle and insisted the team will continue to fight through the current slump.
“We are now in a difficult situation and you need to do even more when things are not going in your favour,” he said.
Sack pressure is now mounting on Slot. Whether Liverpool can bounce back when they lock horns with PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday night remains to be seen.