Arne Slot’s serene start to life as Liverpool manager has been abruptly halted by a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. The setback has exposed cracks in the Reds’ facade and raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level both domestically and in the Champions League.
The defeat to Forest came just days before Liverpool’s return to Europe’s elite club competition. The Reds will face AC Milan in Italy on Tuesday, marking their first Champions League appearance since 2022. Slot inherited a club steeped in European history. Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool reached three Champions League finals in five seasons, winning the European Cup for the sixth time in their history. The former Feyenoord boss has a daunting task ahead of him to maintain such a high standard.
The new Champions League format has not been kind to Liverpool. The Reds will face both Milan and Real Madrid, the two most successful sides in the competition’s history. In addition, they will also encounter Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, Bologna, Girona, Leipzig, and Lille. While the challenges are significant, Liverpool may relish the opportunity to test themselves against such formidable opponents. The defeat to Forest, however, highlighted the team’s struggles against defensive-minded sides. Despite dominating possession, the Reds lacked the necessary spark to create clear-cut chances.
“We lost the ball so many times in simple situations,” Slot lamented after the defeat. “We had a lot of ball possession but only managed to create three or four quite good chances, so that is by far not enough.”
The contrast between Liverpool’s recent performances is stark. The Reds secured a 3-0 victory over Manchester United before the international break, but their display against Forest was a significant step backwards.
Slot’s early success was attributed to his ability to impose control and a more cautious approach to the game. However, the defeat to Forest suggests that the team may still be reliant on individual brilliance, particularly from Mohamed Salah.
However, the challenge of replacing Salah’s goal-scoring contributions remains. The Egyptian is entering the final year of his contract, and Liverpool may need to find alternative sources of goals to maintain their competitiveness. As Slot continues to navigate the challenges of managing a club of Liverpool’s stature, the defeat to Forest serves as a reminder of the intense pressure that comes with the job. The Dutchman will need to adapt quickly and find solutions to ensure that the Reds remain a force to be reckoned with in both domestic and European competitions.
