Copyright dailystar
The heat is intensifying on Liverpool manager Arne Slot following the Reds' fifth loss in six matches on Saturday evening. Former manager Jurgen Klopp's recent comments will now be ringing in the ears of supporters and Slot himself, as the German confessed when discussing a potential Anfield comeback : "It is possible." Liverpool's emphatic 5-1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League last week turned out to be a false dawn as the Reds were comprehensively outplayed by Brentford in a 3-2 defeat on Saturday night. The setback against the Bees follows defeats to Crystal Palace , Chelsea and Manchester United domestically, plus an away loss to Galatasaray in Europe. Slot and his squad must now confront the harsh reality that the reigning Premier League champions are miles off the pace just nine matches into the new season. While Liverpool possess sufficient time to bridge the seven-point gap to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal , even the most loyal fan would acknowledge that the Reds' issues appear as intricate as the Gunners currently seem formidable. The Dutchman has accumulated considerable goodwill after his remarkable triumph in his debut term, and there's no suggestion Slot's role is in jeopardy. Nevertheless, football moves at breakneck speed and Klopp's observations about a possible Anfield return have undoubtedly stirred the pot as the pressure keeps building. Klopp bid farewell to Anfield at the close of the 2023/24 campaign after nine years in charge, having revealed his intentions to step down in January 2024. The Premier League and Champions League-winning manager had explained that he was "running out of energy." When quizzed about a potential return to Liverpool on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Klopp said: "I said I will never coach a different team in England so that means, if [I did return], then it's Liverpool. So, yeah, theoretically it is possible." Regarding what circumstances might tempt him back to the Anfield touchline, he explained: "I don't even know exactly. I love what I do now. I don't miss coaching. I don't. I do coach but it's just different, it's not players." He went on: "I don't miss it. I don't miss standing in the rain for two-and-a-half or three hours. I also don't miss going to press conferences three times a week. Having 10 or 12 interviews a week, I don't miss that. I don't. I don't miss being in the dressing room. I coached around 1,080 games so I was in the dressing room very, very often. "I don't want to die in the dressing room. It's these kind of things. I'm 58. From your perspective that might be old, but from other perspectives, it's not that old. That means I could make a decision in a few years. I don't know. Do I have to make a decision today? I will not coach again, but thank God I do not have to do that, I can just see what the future brings." Klopp's sabbatical from football proved brief as he accepted the position of Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer at the start of 2025. He subsequently gained additional responsibilities with the German Football League , indicating he has no immediate plans to return to the touchline. Slot's remarks following the loss at the Gtech Community Stadium will have sent waves of unease through the Liverpool faithful. The Reds were caught out by Michael Kayode's long throw in the opening period, contributing to an alarming tally of set-piece goals they've shipped this campaign - with Slot admitting he remains far from discovering a solution. "Quite a few things," he revealed during his post-match media briefing when questioned about the root causes of his side's recent struggles. "It is definitely that teams have a certain playing style against us; it is a very good strategy to play. We have not found an answer yet." Liverpool's next fixture sees them welcome Palace to Anfield for a Carabao Cup encounter on Wednesday. The match offers scant opportunity for respite for Slot, given that Oliver Glasner's Eagles have already defeated Liverpool in both the Community Shield and at Selhurst Park in league action this term.
