Arne Slot is no longer trying to save Premier League champions Liverpool from a stumble.
Saturday’s Anfield horror show at the hands of Nottingham Forest was a headlong fall into the abyss.
What most generously believed was a blip, based on the compelling evidence of Slot’s first title-winning campaign last season, is now a full-blown crisis for Liverpool and their beleaguered head coach.
Chairman Tom Werner was at Anfield to witness a 3-0 loss to impressive Forest thanks to a performance as poor as anything seen at home in recent years.
“How bad that is difficult to measure but it was very bad,” said Slot. “Playing at home, losing 3-0 no matter which team you face is a very, very bad result.”
No-one can suggest Slot’s job is in immediate danger after his deeds following his succession to Jurgen Klopp, but such is this game’s brutality that he is now under serious pressure to turn the tide that threatens to engulf Anfield.