By Liberty Nicholson-Hulse
Pressure is building on Arne Slot as Liverpool head into a crucial run of fixtures that will shape both their season and his future at Anfield.
A damaging week for Slot’s side means the Reds head into their Premier League clash with Fulham on the back of three consecutive defeats.
Scrutiny has intensified after a 2-0 loss to PSG in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
Poor run raises concerns
Liverpool have lost 16 matches in all competitions this season – their highest tally in over a decade.
Their form has dipped sharply in recent weeks, with just two wins from their last eight matches in all competitions.
In the Premier League, four wins from the last 13 games has dragged them into a tense battle for a top-five finish.
Sitting fifth, they are just one point clear of Chelsea, while Brentford and Everton remain close behind.
Speaking to a press conference ahead of the meeting with Fulham, Slot admitted his side have put themselves in a difficult position at a critical stage.
Defining moments
“These are defining moments and periods of time. We have given ourselves not the best situation to be in,” he said on Sky Sports.
“Paris kept us alive, we are still in the tie and there are two massive games in the league coming and then four more. First of all should be on Fulham, that is where the focus is.”
With six league games remaining, Champions League qualification is far from secure, especially with one of the toughest run-ins among teams chasing European football leaving little room for error.
With that in mind, Slot emphasised the need for a swift response to keep Liverpool’s ambitions on track.
“If you experience that, you want to be involved in that next season… we have to perform in the league as well,” he added.
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Crucial fixtures ahead
The Liverpool manager insisted he still feels backing from within the club and supporters, but the mood around Anfield is shifting as results falter.
With protests planned and performances under scrutiny, Liverpool’s clash with Fulham takes on added significance.
Anything less than a positive result risks further denting their top-five hopes.
“I am repeating myself a lot but I have said many times, I feel a lot of support,” Slot added.
“I hope even though there are protests that the fans can be as helpful as they always have been for us.”
Singing and clapping
Slot pointed to the reaction of travelling supporters even after a heavy defeat as evidence of continued backing.
“When we were out in Paris…the fans were still singing and clapping for us,” he said.
“That support, we have felt constantly. I think the club knows what period of time we are in.”
Transition adding to uncertainty
The sense of transition at Anfield has only added to speculation.
The expected departures of key figures including Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson underline a squad entering a new phase.
Slot confirmed Robertson is set to leave at the end of the season after falling out of regular selection.
“He really loves this club. It has been a great nine years for him… but this season he did not play as much as he was used to,” Slot said.
Injury concerns have also played a role, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker ruled out again for the Fulham match.
Liverpool have lost all three matches he has missed, conceding eight goals.
For Slot, the challenge is clear. Form is dipping and confidence appears fragile at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Liverpool now head into an unforgiving run of fixtures that will define not only their season, but also the perception of their manager.
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