View 3 ImagesArne Slot is under pressure after four losses(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
Arne Slot is experiencing pressure for the first time as Liverpool manager after four successive defeats in all competitions.The Dutch boss has not always managed to win over his squad, as two former players have made clear.
Ex-Liverpool player Harvey Elliott, who transferred to Aston Villa during the summer transfer window, has previously discussed his relationship with Slot, whose choices left the 22-year-old frustrated. “So there are moments within the season where I am getting angry,” said the former Anfield man.
“I am getting frustrated because I want to play but at the same time I need to respect the situation, I need to respect the manager’s decisions.
“Some games I’m needed, some games I’m not. That’s just how football is. That’s why I feel like we’re in the position that we are in this season so far because of his decisions.”
View 3 ImagesHarvey Elliott (left) now plies his trade for Aston Villa (Image: Stuart Franklin, Getty Images)
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton has also admitted he doesn’t believe he enjoyed the confidence of his former manager. He previously opened up about his limited opportunities under Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.
The player now plays for Lyon in Ligue 1 following a £15m move this summer. He came through the academy and made his senior bow four years ago but found consistent playing time hard to come by at the club, spending loan periods with Blackburn Rovers and Hull City.
In a chat with SPORTbible, Morton opened up about his relationship with Slot and his perception of the Dutch manager’s faith in him: “I think he thought I was a good player but I don’t feel the trust was there as much. In my opinion, the limited opportunities were down to trust and not ability. When I got my opportunity in the cup, I felt like I played well. That’s all I could say.
“I stuck at it, stayed focused, got through to the end of the season and played in the under-21 Euros which was amazing. I had a few conversations with him (Slot) during the season. A lot of footballers can be bitter about not playing and let their egos get in the way but I’m not that type of lad.
“I personally disagreed with the limited amount of game time I got last season but that was out of my control. I did everything I could. I played for the under-21s when a lot of players wouldn’t.
View 3 ImagesTyler Morton plays in France(Image: ALEX MARTIN, AFP via Getty Images)
“I did everything in my power to stay fit and mentally focused for when my time came and I still got limited opportunities. I just wanted to play. I don’t think I was asking for too much, even if it was coming off the bench in the Premier League…anything, to be honest.”
Morton then shared that his frustration peaked during a Champions Leaguematch against PSV. Slot chose James McConnell over Morton, with the latter getting less than 40 minutes on the pitch.
He further commented: “I think the PSV game – when I had to keep my head fully – was difficult. It was a dead rubber match, they’d already gone through in the Champions League and I didn’t start. That’s when pure frustration kicked in.
“I understand what happened. I’d agreed to get my [shoulder] operation a couple of weeks after the PSV game but I played through the pain for that opportunity to play in the Champions League.”