Liverpool manager Arne Slot recently declined to attend the Northern Football Writers' Association (NFWA) awards ceremony on 23/11, where he was honored as Manager of the Year, amidst the club's struggles. Instead, Liverpool club ambassador Gary McAllister accepted the accolade on Slot's behalf. McAllister was reportedly contacted during halftime of the Leeds - Aston Villa match at Elland Road, West Yorkshire, to step in for the event.

McAllister conveyed Slot's apologies and read a brief message expressing the Dutch tactician's pride in receiving the honor. Slot earned the award for leading Liverpool to a Premier League title in his debut season.

The event also saw the presence of managers Daniel Farke (Leeds), Eddie Howe (Newcastle), and Phil Parkinson (Wrexham). Notably, Erik ten Hag was the last Premier League manager to attend the award ceremony last year, only to be sacked by Man Utd days later.

Manager Arne Slot (right) and Hugo Ekitike after Liverpool's 0-3 loss to Nottingham Forest in Premier League round 12 at Anfield, Liverpool, England on 22/11. *Photo: Reuters*.

Slot's decision to skip the ceremony highlights the intense pressure he is facing due to Liverpool's dismal start to the season. Just last weekend, the reigning champions suffered a 0-3 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, a result that dropped them into the bottom half of the Premier League table.

The club's current form is a cause for significant concern. Liverpool has lost 6 of their first 12 Premier League matches this season, a rare occurrence seen only once before in their history, during the 2014-2015 campaign. This makes them the 4th reigning champions to suffer six or more defeats in the opening 12 rounds, following Blackburn (1995-1996), Chelsea (2015-2016), and Leicester (2016-2017).

Football pundit Gary Neville has suggested radical changes are needed if Liverpool is to salvage their season. On his personal podcast, the former Man Utd defender advised Slot to abandon the 4-3-2-1 formation for a 4-4-2, aiming to bolster defensive solidity. Neville proposed a narrow 4-man midfield featuring Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz, or Cody Gakpo, with Mohamed Salah partnering as a central striker alongside Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak.

Despite the current challenges, Neville asserted that Slot's future at Anfield remains secure. "There's no chance Slot will be sacked", the former England defender stressed. "He is a good, professional coach who conducts himself appropriately. He has just spent over 500 million USD rebuilding the team and requires time. New arrivals must prove themselves, while established key players need to provide support and maintain dressing room stability".

Liverpool faces a challenging schedule in the coming days. On 26/11, they will host PSV in the 5th matchday of the Champions League, before traveling to face West Ham in Premier League round 13 4 days later.

By Hong Duy (according to Daily Mail)