ARNE SLOT cryptically pulled out of a prestigious awards bash at the final minute following Liverpool’s latest horror loss.
The pressure is piling on last season’s title winner as his Reds side crashed to a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Liverpool have now lost six of their 12 league games — including back-to-back defeats by a margin of three goals or more for the first time since 1965.
Fans turned on Slot’s dud squad — boosted by a record £450million transfer splurge in the summer — by booing them off the pitch at Anfield.
And even former favourites like Jamie Redknapp admit there are no chances of a successful title defence.
Now, Slot has added fuel to the flames with a no-show at the Northern Football Writers Association awards ceremony.
The Sunday night bash saw Slot crowned Manager of the Season.
But according to the Mail, the 47-year-old did not take his place at his table for the event.
Even Erik ten Hag turned up to the awards last season, with Manchester United sacking him just two games afterwards.
And it seems Slot is feeling the increased heat after struggling to get a tune out of his expensive stars.
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He spent a combined £250million on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in deals heralded by many as game-changers.
But the flops are yet to score or assist in the top flight and have also struggled with their fitness.
Meanwhile, last season’s record of just four defeats has already been shattered.
And Liverpool have already shipped 20 goals — almost half of the 41 they conceded last term.
The defeat to Forest also means they are now the fourth side to start a season as defending champs with six or more defeats in their first 12 games, after Blackburn Rovers in 1995-96 (six), Chelsea in 2015-16 (seven), and Leicester City in 2016-17 (six).
Liverpool must now prepare for a Champions League fixture against PSV on Wednesday, where things are going slightly better with three wins in four outings.
But they then face a tough run of Prem games against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds before returning to European battle against Inter Milan.
IS IT BARMY TO SACK ARNE?
By Ken Lawrence
JUST a few weeks ago it was unthinkable — but is Arne Slot now in danger of being sacked?
Liverpool find themselves in the bottom half after Saturday’s 3-0 home humbling by Nottingham Forest.
It was the champions’ sixth Prem defeat in seven — and TWO top-flight clubs have previously binned their boss months after title glory.
Chelsea did it to Jose Mourinho in 2015 and Claudio Ranieri was axed by Leicester in February 2017 despite the 5000-1 miracle of 2015-16.
Three other title-winning bosses weren’t given much slack either.
Roberto Mancini lasted exactly a year at Manchester City despite leading them to the 2012 title.
And Chelsea hustled both Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte out of the door a little over a year after title triumphs in 2010 and 2017 respectively.
Bookmakers are already offering odds on the next Kop boss.
Jurgen Klopp – now head of global soccer for the Red Bull group – is the favourite to make an emotional Anfield return.
Another German – Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner – is second favourite.
And Andoni Iraola is third on their list for helping Bournemouth to continue to punch above their weight.
Slot won the title last season with players inherited from Klopp, who stepped down after 491 games in charge in May 2024.
Former Feyernood boss Slot spent £450m on new faces in the summer – and the result has been a disaster.
The pundits have also started to go for the Dutchman.
Ex-Everton defender Martin Keown said: “Unthinkable. The wheels are coming off now for Arne Slot.
“It was Jurgen Klopp’s team and he has tried to come in and make changes but they are going backwards.”
Another former Toffee, Ashley Williams added: “Today’s the first time I’ve thought ‘I’m not sure Arne Slot can resolve this situation at Liverpool.’”
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp called for caution however.
He said: “This is what I expected to happen last season. Now its the time for patience.”
