From the moment he accepted the onerous challenge of following in the footsteps of Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss, Arne Slot has shown he isn't averse to taking a gamble. And it became apparent the Dutchman was lining up another when the teamsheet for this latest Reds misery dropped.

Despite a run that has now extended to six defeats in seven – a worst such sequence in 16 years – there are no realistic calls to jettison Slot barely six months after delivering a record-equalling 20th championship for Liverpool.

The pressure, though, continues to mount. And there is no doubt the Reds boss very much placed his eggs in the one proverbial basket by naming such an understrength side here, Milos Kerkez the only player to retain his starting role while the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Cody Gakpo, although all fit and available, watched from the stands.

OPINION