Liverpool legend Emile Heskey is urging the Anfield board against a “knee-jerk” reaction as pressure mounts on Arne Slot.
Arne Slot’s attempt to defend Liverpool’s Premier League crown has shifted from a stutter to a full-scale decline.
Currently languishing in sixth, Slot’s side has already suffered eight league defeats, double the tally they accumulated during the entirety of last season’s title-winning crusade
Whilst Slot’s side have fared a little better in Europe and remain one of the favourites for the FA Cup, the Dutchman has withstood a lot of criticism for Liverpool’s underperformance.
Despite the criticism, Liverpool look to have turned another corner and have won four of their last five in all competitions.
As Slot continues to work on steadying the ship, former Liverpool striker Heskey has given his backing to Reds boss.
Heskey: Liverpool should stick with Slot
Heskey made 223 appearances for Liverpool during a five-year spell at Anfield, scoring 60 goals in the process. The centre forward was also a key member of Gerard Houllier’s treble-winning side in 2001.
Speaking in an interview with Liverpool Echo the Englishman suggested Slot has plenty of credit in the bank before Liverpool should even consider letting the Dutchman go.
“I think they should stick with Slot”, Heskey said. “You’ve got to remember we were all saying how good the in-game changes were and we lauded him for it. Making changes at half-time, pulling players off, taking risks, making tough decisions and them coming off.
“We can’t all of a sudden jump on someone’s back when they have a dip. There’s got to be consistency and stick with him.”
Heskey: “Now is the time for Liverpool to stand up and be counted”
Whilst the 48-year-old was critical of those with short memories on Merseyside, Heskey still insisted that Slot will need to show he can handle the pressure as Liverpool enter the business end of the season.
“But he needs to know he’s under pressure and he’s at a club where it’s not if we win, it’s we’ve got to win trophies,” he continued.
“When I was at the club it was you couldn’t lose two games on the spin, having come from Leicester where you lose five. In that environment you can’t lose two on the bounce and they’re telling you that. That is pressure and you’ve got to be able to deal with that pressure.”
However, Heskey did back Slot’s players to draw on their own experiences to help navigate the Dutchman through a critical period of the season.
“There have been seasons in the past where competing for the Premier League title was normal and if it wasn’t for a fantastic Manchester City team they would have won more. They know how to do it, so now’s the time to stand up and be counted.
“Slot knows he has to win trophies and regardless of whether you’re at Liverpool, Leeds or West Ham, you’re ten games away from being sacked. It’s sad to say but it’s common knowledge that teams are trigger happy.”
Heskey’s comments come as Jamie Carragher defends Slot
The treble winner is not the only former Liverpool player to stick up for Slot this week.
Heskey’s comments come after his old Liverpool teammate, Jamie Carragher, defended Slot during an episode of The Overlap.
During the Fan Debate, Carragher had claimed any manager in the world would struggle with what Slot has had to contend with at Liverpool this season.
