(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Ciaran Morrison

Fri 31 October 2025 14:30, UK

Arne Slot’s position at Liverpool may be have to be questioned if the Reds lose their fifth Premier League game in a row against Aston Villa.

Liverpool’s defeat at Brentford last time out in the Premier League left the Reds seven points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Slot has come under scrutiny for fielding a youthful starting XI and bench for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.

The pressure is increasing at Liverpool for Slot, and the Dutchman desperately needs a victory to start turning their fortunes around.

Alan Shearer delivers Arne Slot sack verdict

Speaking to the Daily Mail [31 October], former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer believes Liverpool are not currently in crisis, but failure to beat Aston Villa would certainly do Slot no good.

“I wouldn’t say crisis just yet – but they’re in a very sticky situation. We might have to use the word crisis if Villa beat them at Anfield on Saturday. For now, I’d say it’s a sticky situation rather than a full-blown crisis,” Shearer said.

“I thought it was a huge gamble that backfired against Palace. Having said that, if they win on Saturday and again on Tuesday, then from his point of view it could prove to be the right decision – because the Carabao Cup would have been low on the priority list.

“But when you’re a club already struggling and desperately in need of a result, it’s risky to put out that sort of side and those substitutes. If you lose narrowly say 1–0 to a dodgy decision – fine. But when you’re battered at home and Palace fans are singing “Can we play you every week?”, that’s damaging.

“We won’t know the full extent of the fallout until after Saturday evening’s result. It’s put more pressure on the players who’ll come back in for the Villa game at Anfield. If they win, he’ll say it was the right decision – but they have to win now after that selection.

“If they lose on Saturday, I don’t see them in the title race. If they win, build confidence, they’ve still got the quality to go on a big run. Saturday evening is huge – another defeat, and I think they’re out of it.“

Slot facing crucial period

Paul Merson believes the title race could be finished quicker than anyone expects if Liverpool’s losing streak does not come to an end.

Aston Villa travel to Anfield in fine form and confident mood having just beaten Man City, which is not good news for Slot.

Unai Emery’s side rarely stick ten men behind the ball from the first whistle which could benefit Slot’s team on the attack.

However, Slot has failed to get the most out of his attacking stars this season and he urgently needs them to click.