If Arne Slot has been caught off-guard by Liverpool’s struggles so far this season, that is perhaps nothing compared to one line of questioning he faced at his latest pre-match press conference. The Dutchman led the Reds to the Premier League title in his first campaign at Anfield, but, despite a £450m summer transfer spending spree, his side have fallen considerably short of such levels during the current term.

Liverpool go into Saturday evening’s game at home to Aston Villa having lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions, including their last four Premier League games.

They are seven points behind league leaders Arsenal, and could see such a deficit extend to 10 before they kick off against Villa. Having dropped to seventh in the table, Chelsea, Crystal Palace or Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion could also all overtake them before they take to the pitch against the Villans.