Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes reaching breaking point over Arne Slot | OneFootball

Arne Slot got off to the best possible start as Liverpool head coach.

Appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement back in 2024 the Dutchman won the Premier League title in his first season in charge.

Sporting director Richard Hughes then backed Slot with £450m worth of signings in the summer transfer window - adding two British record arrivals in the shape of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.

But the season has unravelled - with the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace a harbinger of things to come.

The Anfield club have lost 20 matches overall this term - the most this century - but FSG are said to be unwavering in their support for the head coach.

Under contract until 2027 the 47-year-old fully expects to be in charge of the Reds next season - although there may be signs that patience will soon wear thin.

Patience is wearing thin according to James Pearce

James Pearce writing in the Athletic has often provided the most context for why FSG will be keeping Slot.

He usually cites mitigating circumstances, injuries and a decline in the output of key players as reasons why Slot’s players might be struggling.

But a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Friday night in the Premier League has sparked a reaction.

Liverpool have not won any of their last three Premier League games - following their humiliating exits in both domestic cups as well as Champions League elimination to Paris Saint-Germain.

And although Pearce has been unequivocal on the question of Richard Hughes and FSG Ceo of Football Michael Edwards backing Slot there are now signs that is beginning to change.

“Slot said in the build-up to Friday’s 4-2 defeat that he expects to keep his job this summer following the recent conversations he’s had with FSG CEO of football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes, but whether he should is a very different matter,” the report reads.

Arne Slot's position questioned by James Pearce

“Can Edwards and Hughes really ignore the clamour for change among the fanbase? It’s growing louder by the week, and the Dutchman’s public reassurances that Liverpool will be a very different force under his leadership next term sound increasingly hollow.

“Slot has undoubtedly been dealt a bad hand by circumstances beyond his control this season, but he’s also consistently failed to get the best out of the resources available.

“Excuses are wearing thin, and trust in Slot has hit rock bottom. There’s so much wrong that it seems fanciful it could all be fixed by buying pace out wide and adding more of a combative edge in midfield.”

Slot has got a certain amount of cash in the bank owing to his Premier League title win. But the fact of the matter is Liverpool have been underperforming for more than a year now.

There is uncertainty that the problems in the squad can be fixed quickly with a summer transfer campaign.

The faults in the side look to be systemic - a failure to create chances, a failure to keep out set-pieces and a slow, ponderous style of play.

At some stage it was inevitable that the spotlight would turn towards Slot.

And with Pearce - one of the journalists closest to the club - finally admitting the fault may lie with the head coach the time has come for the reckoning.