Slot relieved as Liverpool win eases pressure after Carragher sack threat

Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted he felt relieved more than anything after his side finally ended their disastrous run of form with a 2–0 win over West Ham United, but warned that familiar problems persist despite the much-needed victory.

Liverpool, who had lost nine of their previous 12 matches in all competitions, their worst run since 1954, secured the win thanks to Alexander Isak’s first Premier League goal for the club and a late strike from Cody Gakpo. The result eased growing pressure on Slot after a torrid period that sharply contrasted with last season, when he delivered Liverpool’s 20th English league title.

Despite ending the slump, Slot acknowledged that many of the issues behind Liverpool’s recent defeats were still visible on Sunday. “There were also a few things similar to other games of ours and a few things that were different”, Slot said.

“The things that were similar were that, again, we couldn’t score our first chances. The good thing was that today, for the first time in many, many, many games, the first chance of the opponent didn’t go in as well”.

Both Isak and Florian Wirtz missed clear opportunities at 0–0, leaving Slot relieved rather than satisfied after the final whistle. Wirtz, who has struggled to adapt since joining Liverpool in the summer, delivered a bright performance against West Ham as Slot handed him a start ahead of Mohamed Salah, who was an unused substitute. It was the first time Salah has been left on the bench for a Premier League match under Slot.

Slot emphasised that Isak, who endured a disrupted pre-season due to his long transfer saga from Newcastle, needs time to reach full sharpness. The scrutiny over Isak’s early-season drought, Slot insisted, is “a bit unfair… because in general, a No.9 plays more minutes than I’ve played Alex until now because of the obvious reasons”.

On dropping Salah, Slot moved to calm speculation. “Mo has had an unbelievable career at this club and will have a very good future at this club because he’s such a special player. “We have four games in 10 days with only 14 to 15 outfield players available… then you have to decide once in a while to make a certain line-up”.

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Salah had not started a league game on the bench since April 2024, a match best remembered for his heated touchline row with Jurgen Klopp, but Slot insisted his decision was purely strategic.

With the victory, Liverpool climbed back into the Premier League’s top half, but Slot knows the performance still leaves plenty to improve as the festive schedule intensifies.

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