Liverpool

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We asked for your views on Liverpool boss Arne Slot and if it is too soon to talk about his job being under threat after six defeats in seven matches, or if change should not be ruled out.

Here are some of your comments:

Paschal: Just a lull Liverpool are going through. Slot will turn it around. Just a matter of putting the players in positions they are comfortable and happy to play in. Time to put Joe Gomez at right-back and give him a chance. Let the new players have time to settle in. Patience is needed - it will come right.

James: If Slot can't turn things around quickly then his position does need consideration. You can't make the financial commitment Liverpool have made and not see results. People continually mention transition and bedding in, but top players should hit the ground running - likewise managers.

Karl: He should be given more time. We aren't a knee-jerk reaction team. Everyone is still dealing with the loss of Diogo Jota and then add so many new players into the mix. He is still the right man for the job.

Richard: The problem is Slot won the Premier League with Jurgen Klopp's team. This was amazing. However, now he has spent hundreds of millions of pounds to improve and put his stamp on the team and club, it is all going wrong. When you watch him on the touchline, he doesn't seem to know how to fix things when they go wrong. We have stopped pressing and terrorising opponents. For some reason, we now play at training-game pace, and only really bring the hammer in the last 15 minutes or so when we're behind and chasing the game. This is not Liverpool at all.

Paul: To suggest Slot is in trouble would be akin to saying last season never happened! We are not, and never have been, a 'sacking club'. We leave desperation to others. The guy has earned a year at least to sort this new team out. The talent is clearly there, but they haven't clicked yet. Time, ladies and gentlemen, please.

Ryan: Way too soon to be talking about getting rid of the manager. Players need time to settle. Before we signed them they were the envy of the big sides. We don't turn into a bad team overnight, but Slot doesn't help himself with some of his decisions - and that is what he can control. Liverpool operate differently and I can't see us cutting Slot and his staff so soon. However, results are what count, ultimately, and if things don't improve - and quickly - then we all know how the road ends. The players have to step up too, by the way - it shouldn't all be on the manager. Some have been way below an acceptable standard for Liverpool.

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Liverpool fan Abigail Rudkin said "it was so disappointing" to see the team sheet on Wednesday, adding that Arne Slot "sacrificed" the Carabao Cup to rest key players.

Fans have criticised the Liverpool boss' decision to make so many changes for the Crystal Palace tie when they had already lost five of their past six matches and were seven points adrift of Arsenal in the league before Wednesday's 3-0 home defeat.

Speaking to BBC Sport, she said: "Walking to the game, me and my dad got the teamsheet and we were like, 'he's sacrificed this'. I understand we are losing games at the moment but you need to try to get a winning mentality back.

"You at least think on the bench you'll have a Mo Salah there, or someone like that who could change the game - maybe [Hugo] Ekitike - but he didn't do that.

"We are losing patience. I think there are two different sides of the fanbase at the minute.

"There are those on social media that are calling on him to lose his job, and there are the people I see at the ground, like me, who are losing patience going to these games and not enjoying it as much with losing the games, but they also want to stay patient with him because we are very grateful to him for what we've had from last season when we thought it would all fall apart without Jurgen Klopp.

"You can sense tension between everyone and the fans are disagreeing a bit more now. Inside the ground, people were leaving a bit earlier than I usually see. There were moans and groans around."

Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday, before facing Real Madrid and Manchester City in the Champions League and Premier League respectively.

"If we don't win that game [against Aston Villa], even if it's a draw, it's not enough," added Rudkin. "The title race will be over by that point.

"That's why [the Palace game] felt like we needed that win for mentality. We needed to get a boost, a little bit of confidence within the team.

"But now you're going on the back of six defeats out of seven and it brings anxiety to the fans in the ground. It's a worrying time to be a Liverpool fan."

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says the death of Diogo Jota "will weigh really heavy" on some of the players this season because "they are human beings" as well as footballers.

Reflecting on some of the reasons why the Reds are not at their best, he told BBC Radio 5 Live on Wednesday: "You've got a team that's mourning in that changing room. How do the new players integrate into that? It's a horrible situation.

"It has to have an effect. They are human beings.

"One thing I notice every time I come to Anfield or watch Liverpool play is the Diogo Jota song after 20 minutes goes up and there is a 5-10 min spell where the tempo drops completely.

"The players are hearing that song and your mind will wander in that moment to one of their friends and close colleagues. In the changing room his locker is still there, so you're sat with a constant reminder of that person you've lost and that can't be easy.

"Some people will be able to put that to one side but for some it will weigh really heavy on their shoulders."

Earlier this month, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk addressed the fact that the club was mourning Jota, who died in a car crash in July.

"It was always going to be a tough season" he said after a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on 4 October.

"Nobody said that it was going to be plain sailing whatsoever.

"It was always going to be ups and downs for multiple reasons that we shouldn't forget, and all we have to do is stick together."

We asked our BBC Sport fan writer Josh Sexton to give his take on what Warnock said...

Josh Sexton
Fan writer

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Liverpool have not been good enough so far this season and nobody within the club will be accepting any excuses as they look to turn this form around.

There are a multitude of reasons as to why form has been suffering, including key players being out of form, a few players struggling for fitness, or suffering from injury issues, and a lack of continuity from last season.

A lot of those continuity issues stem from the business done in the summer, most of which was necessary for one reason or another and I don't think many Liverpool fans would look back and say they regret the departures of any players besides possibly Luis Diaz and the profile of the player that Trent Alexander-Arnold is - the emotion attached to that exit causes this supporter to not miss the man himself as such.

The variable within all of this is that one player we lost in the summer was in the most tragic of circumstances very unexpectedly, and there are more reasons than just footballing ones why that loss is absolutely immeasurable.

We saw in the emotions of Mohamed Salah after Liverpool's first game against Bournemouth at Anfield how much it has had an impact on the players, and that will also extend to the lads who didn't play with Diogo Jota who have had to integrate into a dressing room that has been broken by the loss of a close friend.

The tributes from within the club and from the supporters serve as a constant celebration of the magnificent human being that we were lucky enough to call one of our own, but of course they can also stir up feelings of grief and loss which can't be easy to perform through at an elite level.

And yet that is exactly what Liverpool have to do with the target on their back as Premier League champions. I've not noticed any drop in heads or performance per se when those vocal tributes have been paid (the song the fans sing in Jota's memory actually started later than 20 minutes against Manchester United as Cody Gakpo went through on goal and hit the post).

It will no doubt be having a general impact, but we would all do well to remember everybody has their own grieving process and give each other the leeway to carry on despite such an unspeakable tragedy.

Find more from Josh Sexton on outlets including The Anfield Wrap, external

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Liverpool's poor run of form has prompted plenty of discussion among fans, with questions beginning to surface about Arne Slot and his future at Anfield.

The Reds have lost six of their past seven matches, culminating in the manager making 10 changes as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday, before Real Madrid visit Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday and then it is the trip to Manchester City before the next international break.

"That is going to be a big week for us, everyone and the club. We need as many players available as we can. You can see with the line-up I had to make," Slot said post-match on Wednesday.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, fan Josh Sexton - who contributes to The Anfield Wrap - said: "We are in an age of modern football where pressure does ramp up on managers.

"Liverpool have often not tended to be a part of that, but we have had managers like Jurgen Klopp who've been lucky in lots of regards.

"So, it'll be interesting to see. I wouldn't like to see because I hope we can win games and not be in that scenario, but I'll be interested to see if that did happen, where Liverpool would end up in that position where there is genuine consideration about Slot's future.

"I'd like to think that he's earned himself at least a year of grace by winning the league last season."

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has said the latest defeat "keeps the pressure on" Slot and means "so many more questions will be asked of him", while ex-Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann said of the Dutchman: "Results have to improve otherwise the air will become thinner for him."

So, what do you think? Is it too soon to talk about Slot's job being under threat, or is this a genuine moment of reckoning? And how big are the next three games to shaping the narrative around Liverpool and their manager?

Get in touch with your views here

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says "only time will tell" whether Arne Slot's decision to rest key players in the Carabao Cup defeat by Crystal Palace was the right one.

Slot named three teenagers in his starting line-up and a further five among his substitutes as he made 10 changes from the team beaten 3-2 at Brentford on Saturday.

"If they beat Aston Villa and Real Madrid and start to turn a corner then yes it was the right choice," said Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "If they don't and things continue, then Liverpool fans will get a little bit disgruntled and start to ask questions about why so many changes.

"Slot said before the game they rotate in this competition, but when you need a victory, this felt like the ideal time to try to get it.

"I'm not sure this will affect them too much but it keeps the pressure on Slot. There will be so many more questions asked of him. He will hope the performance on Saturday justifies what he has done for this game.

"Confidence is huge in football and Liverpool players are second guessing everything that they do.

"Slot has got to turn things around very quickly but it is not all on the manager. The players have to do more.

"His job as manager is to inspire the players and give them a gameplan they can follow through."

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Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann says the Reds' Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Crystal Palace was "pretty much expected" after Arne Slot's starting XI was announced.

Slot named three teenagers in his starting line-up and a further five among his substitutes as he made 10 changes from the team that was beaten 3-2 at Brentford on Saturday.

"We know that Crystal Palace have a very good team under Oliver Glasner. I don't think Slot was too bothered about the defeat because I think he's got other things on his mind at the moment," Hamann told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"Their form in the league is not good. They have to make sure they don't fall too far behind by Christmas that they can't win the league this season and defend it.

"After we saw the team, we pretty much expected what was going to happen and I wouldn't be too bothered about the result.

"Slot's got three massive games ahead of him now with Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City. They probably can't afford to lose any of the three so he probably thought he'd give the main players a few days off.

"Results have to improve otherwise the air will become thinner for him. People talk about his position now, which nobody would have thought would happen at the start of the season after being brilliant last season.

"He knows he needs results now.

"They spent £400m over the summer. The players who were there last season will be thinking: 'We didn't spend that money last season and we were better.'

"That is always a danger because the new players who come in have to perform - and quickly.

"Apart from [Hugo] Ekitike, none have done OK so far and I think that's a big problem."

Listen to the full discussion from 08:22 GMT on BBC Sounds

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Although Liverpool's starting 11 against Crystal Palace on Wednesday included 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha and 18-year-old midfielders Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison, the line-up also included seven full internationals.

Slot opted for three central defenders, with Scotland's Andy Robertson on the left, England's Joe Gomez in the middle and Japan's Wataru Endo on the right.

Both full-backs have also represented their country too, with left-back Milos Kerkez a regular for Hungary, while Calvin Ramsay has played for Scotland.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner felt it was "disrespectful" to suggest Liverpool had fielded a weakened team and believed his side deserved all the credit.

"It was Arne Slot's decision and we never care what other teams are doing," said the Eagles boss. "I've seen Joe Gomez play for England, win the Champions League, seen Wataru Endo I don't know how many games for Japan.

"I've seen Alexis Mac Allister, he won the World Cup as a starter, Kerkez moved for £40m, [Federico] Chiesa plays for the [Italy] national team, Ngumoha has shown he can score goals in the Premier League.

"It was still a good team and everyone is a member of the Liverpool squad. I was never good enough to be in the Liverpool squad. Maybe it was not the strongest team, but still a very good Liverpool side."

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We asked for your thoughts after Liverpool crashed out of the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

Here are some of your replies:

Jason: Time for Arne Slot to admit he doesn't know what to do. Some great energy from the youngsters in the first half, but mistakes from key players and a lack of purpose and strategy on the field are quickly making Liverpool a laughing stock. Guaranteed no cups this season and the odds are shortening on relegation.

Neil: What was that abysmal performance? An unthinkable starting XI with no first-team substitutes. I was watching Newcastle v Spurs on TV and their fans were laughing at us at half-time! I don't think Slot's unsackable but, knowing Liverpool, they will put all the big guns back in on Saturday against Aston Villa. Milos Kerkez is a rabbit in the headlights and not worth the money. I'm very worried.

Marilyn: This is all very sad. Where has our beautiful, fast-attacking team gone? So many back passes and no inventive ideas - just the same horrid football they played against Brentford, although a totally different line-up. What are you going to do, Arne?

Matthew: For all the criticism that Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have got for their performances compared with their price tags, it is Kerkez who I think hasn't been good enough. He was bought to be our new left-back but isn't showing enough experience at all.

Liz: Form is temporary, class is permanent. Liverpool have the class players, so we will be back!

Jan: Why do so much damage to our younger players? It is unfair when they are starting out. We are clearly not going to perform in the league, so a strengthened team with seniors on the bench was the way to go. Instead, the 'LFC is failing' narrative will gather momentum. This was an important game to show strength and depth, not give victory away the minute the teamsheet was published.

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock was not impressed with Arne Slot's post-match interview on Wednesday in which he cited the struggles of fixture congestion for him rotating his squad so heavily against Crystal Palace.

"Our squad is probably not as big as people think it is," said Slot. "Against Brentford it was two days after we played Eintracht Frankfurt away and I saw a team that is struggling to play three games in seven days.

"It's a new challenge to play in the Premier League and Champions League, three games in seven days," he added.

"Arne Slot has almost admitted there that the squad is not strong enough," said Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live. "It was very much deflecting and making excuses.

"You're a team in the Champions League, yet you're moaning that you're playing a game two days later. You know that is going to happen. I felt there were a lot of excuses in there. You know your squad depth isn't the best, then your business hasn't been good enough in the summer.

"It is as simple as that. I know players get injuries along the way, but build a squad capable of dealing with it.

"He sounded down and like he didn't have the answers people were looking for."

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The Saudi Pro League's offer for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah remains on the table. (TBR Football), external

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after his side's 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup:

"You have every option where you can choose from, but the reality is also that there is not a lot of reasons why we have lost five out of six.

"None of them are enough to make up for the fact we have lost so many. It is clear in the last few weeks we have always had to play two days after we played the last game after a difficult game in Europe.

"If you look at the week coming up, that is going to be a big week for us, everyone and the club. We need as many players available as we can. You can see today with the line-up I had to make. I only rested the players that have played mainly in the last week. This is the line-up you get. That shows you we already have a few injuries. With a big week coming up for me, it felt the best choice.

"Combined with that, this club has always chosen in the League Cup to give playing time to young academy players as well. Our squad is probably not as big as people think it is. There has not been a change in the way we look at this."

Did you know?

This was the first time Liverpool have lost a domestic cup match at Anfield by three goals without scoring since February 1934, which was a 3-0 defeat to Bolton in the FA Cup.

• Hear Slot's post-match media conference on BBC Sounds

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist at Anfield

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Arne Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield, will use their fixtures in the next week and a half as justification for his team selection against Crystal Palace.

The 10-time League Cup winners' starting line-up included three teenagers - hugely exciting 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha and 18-year-old midfielders Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison.

However, Palace boss Oliver Glasner, whose side had already played 15 games in all competitions before this match, will have felt they had a glorious chance to progress when he saw the teamsheets.

The Eagles named a strong-looking team, including captain Marc Guehi, whose potential £35m move to Liverpool collapsed on transfer deadline day in September after Palace failed to sign a replacement.

With Guehi out of contract in the summer, the Reds could well try again to sign him - and this match again highlighted Liverpool's need to strengthen in defence.

Slot picked three central defenders - Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo - while Milos Kerkez and Calvin Ramsay were at left and right-back respectively.

But the Liverpool boss, watching on from the edge of his technical area while getting soaked in heavy rain, will have been left disappointed with the goals his side conceded.

One bright spot for the Dutchman was the performance of Ngumoha, who became the club's youngest Premier League scorer earlier this season with a late winner against Newcastle.

Ngumoha, operating on the left wing but allowed the freedom to move inside and run at the defence, repeatedly showed his skill and dribbling ability with the home crowd increasing the noise levels every time he touched the ball.

But none of the other fringe players were able to take their opportunity as Liverpool limped out of the competition.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Arne Slot has rotated his Liverpool squad, with 10 changes from the side that began the 3-2 loss at Brentford at the weekend.

Milos Kerkez is the only one to stay in the team, which includes 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha and 18-year-old midfielders Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison.

Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman makes his first competitive start for the Reds following his summer move from Preston.

Captain Marc Guehi starts in defence for Crystal Palace, who have not changed their side as much as their opponents.

Walter Benitez is in goal in place of Dean Henderson, while Eddie Nketiah starts up front, with Jean-Philippe Mateta among the substitutes.

There are five Carabao Cup games on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

Kick-off times 19:45 GMT unless stated

• Arsenal v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Swansea v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Wolves v Chelsea

• Newcastle v Tottenham (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's Radio 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Crystal Palace", for instance.

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Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Paul asked: With Palace, Villa, Real Madrid and Man City coming up would, say, three more defeats put Arne Slot under real pressure? Liverpool don't sack managers easily, but surely if this run of form persists then even the most successful manager could be in trouble.

Phil answered: Slot is under the same pressure as every Liverpool manager – and that is the pressure to win games. Pressure for his job? Not a chance.

Slot won the title in his first season after succeeding Jurgen Klopp, and while he needs wins as quickly as possible, Liverpool is not the sort of club to panic, even if the next sequence of results go badly.

I would agree, however, that they need to show signs of becoming more resilient and balanced, because I think they are a dysfunctional, soft touch at the moment. And, Hugo Ekitike apart, their big signings have not yet delivered.

Slot however still has plenty of credit in the bank and Liverpool is a calm club internally, not given to hasty, panicky decisions, certainly not when it involves a manager who won the Premier League last season.

Jack then asked: I'll follow up on the question about Slot being under pressure. Do you think that if nothing has changed by Christmas, he will be under heavy scrutiny and could be on the verge or even have been sacked? Considering his current squad, I'd say it's very likely.

Phil answered: Of course, Slot would be under heavy scrutiny if the current dreadful run continues until Christmas, as any manager of a club of Liverpool's stature would be. He would be under pressure – but not, in my opinion, for his job.

Liverpool's owners are measured. They saw Slot win the title in his first season and I am sure there will be an acceptance and understanding that there has also been a lot of change in the summer.

What he needs now is for established stars and new acquisitions to simply play better. He also needs to find his best team as I am not sure he actually knows.

I also think the presence of both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak gives him a conundrum, on how to best utilise those two players. So far Ekitike has delivered. Isak has not.

Follow along with the rest of today's Phil McNulty Q&A here

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Sir Kenny Dalglish, speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside's Phil Munns about the strength of the Liverpool community in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster:

"When Hillsborough happened every department; upstairs, the players, the coaching staff, the rest of the fans - it was fantastic, the way they all got together. And then when we got to meet the families, it was our turn to be supporters. They supported us many times when we really needed them. They were there.

"Both Marina [Dalglish] and myself were brought up in Glasgow, parents with similar values, rights and wrongs, respect for people. You help people if they're having a bad time or if something awry happens, you try your best to help them. And that's all we tried to do in the football club.

"The club's a club that the community should feel very proud of, and we've proved that when we came out to do it, and we tried our best to be as helpful as we possibly could. But there's nothing we could have done that could have replaced the loss."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot says they "should be hurt" by recent results as they look to turn their poor run of form around against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup later on Wednesday.

The Reds succumbed to their fourth successive Premier League defeat when they lost 3-2 to Brentford on Saturday.

After five wins in a row had left them clear at the top of the table, they are now seventh and seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

"It goes without saying that our recent form has not reached the standards that you expect of us or that we expect of ourselves. This is, of course, a major disappointment, especially given the positive start we made to the season," Slot wrote in his matchday programme notes.

"Our responsibility is to recognise what is happening and put things right. There is no other option.

"Part of this process involves being hurt. We should be hurt by results like Saturday's when we lost to Brentford, and we should use the feelings this creates to further fuel our motivation.

"Not that anyone could accuse the players of a lack of effort - if anything, the opposite is true - but how we use this effort and desire is what will make the difference."

Crystal Palace are familiar recent foes for Liverpool, with the Eagles having beaten them in the Community Shield and the Premier League this season already.

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk shared Slot's sentiment and added: "My message ahead of this game is a simple one: we stick together, no matter what.

"We know this is a difficult moment. We know results and performances are not what we want them to be, and that will lead to pressure, scrutiny and criticism from the outside.

"We accept that. When you play for a club like Liverpool, it comes with certain standards and expectations.

"You have to show the right reaction. You have to look at yourself, show strength and character, work hard and find a way to bounce back. That is exactly what we will be looking to do this evening."

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Former Liverpool forward Natasha Dowie says she wants to see "more fight and nastiness" from the Reds as they look to move on from a run of five defeats in their past six games.

Arne Slot's side host Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday.

"As a fan, you always try to look positive," Dowie told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"It has to be better, you can't shy away from that, but I think also when you really break it down there are so many factors you have to take into consideration.

"What I want is a little bit more of a fight and a nastiness. This Liverpool team are technically so gifted but teams are bullying them at the moment on the physical side of things.

"When it comes to one v one battles they have to do better, they have to earn the right to play. It's not just winning the Premier League, teams then want to beat you even more.

"I look at Arsenal at the moment - they will do anything to win. They're happy to scrape 1-0s.

"Liverpool need to take a bit more pride in the clean sheet side of things. No clean sheet in nine is not good enough.

"It doesn't get any easier. Crystal Palace are a physical team, have beaten Liverpool twice recently, so getting a result will not be straightforward.

"[Jean-Philippe] Mateta is such a handful, he's got everything.

"It will be interesting to see the teams both managers pick. Oliver Glasner has tended to go strong in the cup but Slot played a very young team against Southampton.

"Can he afford to do that again?"

Listen to the full discussion from 08:20 GMT on BBC Sounds