Liverpool manager Arne Slot is now facing mounting pressure following another dramatic collapse by his team, largely triggered by a costly mistake from one of his own players. Slot’s position at the club is increasingly under threat after a disappointing performance against Leeds United on Saturday, a match that showcased both Liverpool’s defensive frailties and tactical shortcomings.
Despite Liverpool taking a two-goal lead early in the second half, the Reds were unable to secure a victory. In fact, the match could have ended with Liverpool scoring many more goals, yet the result still would not have been in their favor. The reality is that several players in Slot’s squad currently appear unfit for purpose, and the most glaring error came from Ibrahima Konate.
Konate, who has been widely regarded as Liverpool’s poorest performer this season, made a critical mistake that allowed Leeds to stage a comeback. The French defender’s reckless challenge on Wilfried Gnonto led to a penalty, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted with ease. This goal not only brought Leeds back into the game but also highlighted the persistent defensive issues that have plagued Liverpool throughout the campaign.
Although Dominik Szoboszlai, one of the few consistent performers for Liverpool this season, restored the team’s lead, it was clear to observers that the Reds were unlikely to maintain it. As expected, Liverpool conceded again in injury time due to recurring set-piece vulnerabilities, allowing Leeds to secure a 3-3 draw.
Prior to this match, club insiders had indicated that Liverpool were not yet prepared to make a managerial change, emphasizing that results needed to improve over a series of key fixtures. Slot’s role will now be evaluated over the next three critical matches, with immediate improvement and victories seen as essential.
Saturday’s performance, however, saw the first of these three tests fail spectacularly, intensifying scrutiny on the Dutch manager. Slot’s decision-making came under fire, particularly his continued reliance on Konate and the decision to bench Mohamed Salah for the third consecutive match, raising questions about his tactical judgment and man-management skills.
Looking ahead, Slot faces immense pressure to secure positive results in upcoming matches, starting with Liverpool’s next clash against Inter Milan in European competition, followed by a Premier League return fixture against Brighton.
Meanwhile, the club is already planning for potential changes in personnel, including the possibility of selling Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League in 2026.
Liverpool also reportedly have several candidates in mind to succeed Salah if he departs, while a confirmed target has been identified as ready to make a career move as early as next month.
Overall, Saturday’s draw against Leeds has compounded Liverpool’s struggles, exposing the fragility of both their defense and tactical structure. With results failing to meet expectations, Slot’s future is far from secure, and the coming weeks could prove pivotal for the Dutchman as he attempts to steady a club in turmoil.
