Arne Slot skips award night after Liverpool's thrashing by Forest

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot opted not to attend the Football Writers' Association Northern Manager of the Year awards in Manchester on Sunday, following his side's humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024-25, was due to receive the award in person. Instead, club ambassador Gary McAllister accepted the honour on his behalf, apologising to the assembled audience and insisting that Slot was "extremely proud" to be recognised.

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The Dutchman's absence mirrored the struggles of his reigning champions. Liverpool sit 11th in the table after losing six of their opening 12 league matches - a record only matched once before, in 2014-15. Back-to-back defeats by three or more goals for the first time since Bill Shankly’s era in April 1965 have shocked supporters and pundits alike.

"It is my responsibility, whether we win or lose," Slot said after the Forest loss. "But I also see a team fighting until the end, and the fans staying to support the players. Lately, we miss our chances, and the goals we concede go in. That will not continue for the whole season."

The Dutch tactician emphasised the need for a breakthrough moment - a goal to shift momentum - lamenting how Forest capitalised on their scoring opportunities while Liverpool failed to convert theirs.

The Reds now face a critical midweek test as they host PSV in the Champions League, with Slot under mounting pressure to arrest a shocking slide that has turned last season's triumphant campaign into a fight for form.