Can Slot Survive This Tough Week?

Liverpool fans don’t tend to overreact — but weekends like the one just gone have a habit of sharpening every doubt. The defeat to Manchester City wasn’t just painful because of the result, it was painful because of what it hinted at. Suddenly, this feels like a defining week for Arne Slot, not in terms of his job just yet, but in how firmly he can steady the ship, quieten the noise, and show that this Liverpool side is moving forward rather than treading water.

Liverpool fans are waking up on Tuesday morning with that familiar, sinking feeling — the kind that comes after a game that should’ve been a turning point but instead feels like a reminder of just how fragile things still are.

That’s because this past weekend’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City at Anfield wasn’t just another defeat. It may well have been the moment that truly tests Arne Slot’s credentials, his tactics, and his future at Liverpool. 

1️⃣ The Result Hurt — Deeply

Slot’s side took the lead through a stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, and for 70-plus minutes it looked like Liverpool might finally grab a big scalp at home. Instead, they conceded an equaliser and then a stoppage-time penalty — leaving fans gutted and the stadium silent. 

But what makes this more than just a loss is the context around it.

2️⃣ Momentum Slipping in the League

This defeat wasn’t a fluke — it’s part of a worrying pattern of late goals conceded and points dropped. Liverpool have now conceded four stoppage-time winners in the league this season, something Slot himself has even admitted feels like the team is “almost getting used to” conceding late goals. 

That’s not a statistic you want hanging over a manager who’s supposed to be building something resilient at a club with title expectations.

3️⃣ Fans Are Questioning More Than Just Tactics

The reactions online tell you everything you need to know. Some supporters are fuming at Slot’s in-game decision-making, especially substitutions that came too late to influence the match. Others are pointing at the team’s shape, pressing, and lack of control in big moments. 

On forums and social media, you see fans who are no longer just disappointed — they’re anxious.

4️⃣ Pressure Is Building Faster Than Slot Probably Expected

Liverpool’s league position — sixth and outside the Champions League spots — adds real pressure. Former Reds like Jamie Carragher have openly questioned whether Liverpool can even secure top-four football if this kind of form continues. 

That’s the kind of talk that turns a bad result into a dangerous week for a manager.

5️⃣ This Week Is More Than Training

Slot now faces:

A tough away fixture to Sunderland where Liverpool cannot afford to slip up, before an FA Cup tie at home to Brighton on Saturday. Questions from pundits and reporters about his tactics. A fanbase that’s itching for clarity on Klopp comparisons, team identity, and true progress

This isn’t just about bouncing back. It’s about whether Slot can silence the doubters and prove the City loss was a blip — not a trend.

Final Word

No one expects Slot to perform miracles overnight — managers always have ups and downs. But this week? It’s one of those moments every Liverpool fan will be talking about long after the dust settles.

Because whether you’re firmly in the Slot In camp or you’re quietly skeptical, this is the point where belief starts to matter almost as much as results and supporters are running out of patience as Liverpool slide down the league table.