Peter Crouch gives honest Arne Slot Liverpool sack verdict as 'serious question marks' arise

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Arne Slot’s credit in the bank is running low at Liverpool and he needs a result against Aston Villa to silence the questions over his future . That’s the opinion of former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch who believes there will be “serious question marks” if their miserable run of form continues at Anfield on Saturday night.

Mirror Football understands that Slot retains the backing of the Reds hierarchy for the time being. But a run of six defeats in the last seven games across all competitions has seen the Dutchman come under pressure for the first time since his arrival.

Liverpool have slipped to seventh in the Premier League , seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal , with four straight defeats in the competition. They were thrashed 3-0 at home by Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday after Slot opted to make 10 changes and hand starts to inexperienced youngsters.

The stakes are high for the visit of Villa at 8pm on Saturday night, with Unai Emery ’s side bound to put up a fight after beating Manchester City 1-0 last weekend. Crouch is sure that Slot is the right man to turn things around, but he concedes that the recent criticism has been justified.

“He's earned enough grace from last season to certainly see this season through. Now there are concerns and there are question marks over the selection and tactics for the first time in Slot's Liverpool career,” Crouch told Paddy Power .

“It was one of those where he actually really needed a win in the Carabao Cup, so to change as many players as he did seemed a little bit strange when they're struggling as much as they are. It needed a little bit more quality than what was picked.

“It was such a young side, I know they had injury problems but I think the balance of play certainly needs to be addressed, because it feels like there's a lack of confidence in their defending at the moment.”

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Asked if Slot could be sacked if another defeat comes this weekend, Crouch replied: “There will be serious talks behind the scenes. I think just get your best team out and go again. It's a big game against Aston Villa , but no I don't think there will be any knee jerk reactions, there will be some serious question marks, definitely.

“There's certainly pressure on him now, there's pressure if you lose one game at Liverpool, you lose five in a row and that's a serious problem.”

Speaking after the third defeat by Palace this season, Slot accepted the pressure he is under. “If you are on a run of results like this, if you play for Liverpool, if you manage Liverpool, the pressure is there,” he said. “I don't think it has changed much after this loss.”

He faces a crucial run of fixtures, with Villa’s visit followed by a Champions League clash against Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday and a trip to Manchester City in the league next weekend before the international break.

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