Jamie Redknapp urges patience as Slot faces testing spell

Liverpool’s title defence has taken a jolt after Nottingham Forest produced a sharp and disciplined 3-0 win at Anfield, a result that intensified scrutiny on Arne Slot and sharpened concerns around the Premier League champions’ early season rhythm. Yet amid the noise and frustration, Jamie Redknapp has offered a firm message to supporters. Speaking on Sky Sports, he insisted: “They [Liverpool] need to be patient, Arne Slot deserves that after last year.”

Forest seize control and unsettle champions

Forest’s second win at Anfield in 14 months cut through the stadium’s usual certainty. Murillo’s driven strike in the 33rd minute arrived after Liverpool failed to clear a corner, with VAR confirming that Dan Ndoye had not impeded Alisson. There was an immediate scare when Igor Jesus had a goal disallowed for handball, although that respite did not last long.

Liverpool slipped further behind early in the second half when Nicolo Savona finished calmly before Morgan Gibbs White added a third in the 78th minute. The sight of supporters heading for the exits underlined the severity of the moment for Slot, whose second campaign has begun to feel distinctly rugged.

Injuries, improvisation and van Dijk’s stark assessment

Slot’s plans continue to be reshaped by injuries, with Florian Wirtz, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong all unavailable. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai were asked to fill in at right back, while Alexander Isak, returning from his own recovery spell, struggled to influence the contest before being replaced by Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool lacked fluency in every department.

Captain Virgil van Dijk did not sugarcoat the situation. His assessment carried the weight of experience and frustration.
“We concede too many easy goals. They scored obviously from a set piece again,” he said. “You can ask if he was in front of Alisson, but it counted, so we’re 1-0 down. We were not good in terms of battles, challenges, the fight, too rushed. It’s a very difficult situation at the moment… We will bounce back but it doesn’t happen overnight.”

Set piece struggles highlight deeper concerns

Liverpool’s difficulties from dead ball situations are becoming impossible to ignore. Opta data shows they have already conceded nine goals from set pieces this season, placing them near the bottom of the Premier League in this area. Their goals against figure, currently 1.81 per match, is far removed from the compact and disciplined structure that underpinned last season’s charge to the title.

The summer’s defensive priorities now look stark, particularly after missing out on Marc Guehi. He remains a candidate for January, but until reinforcements arrive, Slot must recalibrate a back line struggling for confidence and cohesion.

For now, Redknapp’s call for patience feels pointed. Liverpool have travelled through turbulence before. The question is how quickly Slot can steady them again.