(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Ciaran Morrison

Mon 20 October 2025 9:00, UK

Arne Slot is suffering his worst run of results as Liverpool manager, with scrutiny beginning to increase on the Dutchman.

Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Man United at Anfield made if four consecutive defeats in all competitions for the Reds.

Milos Kerkez was slammed by Liverpool fans for his performance, as Slot’s side dropped four points behind Arsenal in the title race.

Liverpool need to return to winning ways at Brentford, as Slot tries to navigate the trickiest spell in his Anfield career so far.

Wayne Rooney thinks complacency is hurting Liverpool

Liverpool started the season with seven consecutive wins, and many believed the Reds’ fire power would be too much for opposing teams.

Florian Wirtz’s poor start at Liverpool, Alexander Isak’s fitness issues and Mo Salah’s drop in form though have all contributed to their recent slump.

Defensively, they have been unable to keep clean sheets and Rooney believes complacency is becoming a factor.

“Its very difficult and I think they’ve got a bit complacent, there’s a lot on Salah, van Dijk and Trent, and I think they’re missing Trent enormously,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show, [20 October].

“Liverpool are a massive club around the world and for players like Kerkez going in from Bournemouth, Isak going in from Newcastle and the players they’ve brought in they’re struggling.

“The best performing player for them is Ekitike. I think they’re really struggling and its a massive challenge for the manager.

“I think with Arne Slot you forget he’s won the Premier League but he’s still young, he’s only 46 years of age, he’s still quite young and I think this is the first time he’s lost four games in a row in his career.

“You’re just seeing today [vs Man United] he’s arguing with the officials on the touchline and I haven’t seen that before from him and you’re starting to see things unfold which shows there is pressure there.”

Arne Slot may be entering a defining period

Slot needs to reinject confidence back into his side in what could prove a defining period in their season before the next international break.

The next five fixtures sees the Reds compete on three fronts, and after Real Madrid they travel to fellow Premier League title challengers Man City.

Handing Arsenal and Man City a greater lead in the title race would make it difficult for Liverpool to retain their crown.

This period could be where we see Slot’s managerial credentials truly tested.