Arne Slot stays out of the spotlight and avoids the award event, leaving the club ambassador to speak to the media in his place.
Liverpool’s off-field turbulence is becoming just as noticeable as their struggles on the pitch, with Arne Slot’s no-show at the Northern Football Writers’ Association awards adding to the scrutiny surrounding him. Gary McAllister represented the club in his place.
Journalist Lewis Steele revealed on X: “At the Northern Football Writers Association awards do. Arne Slot has won manager of the season. He was scheduled to be here but is not.”
Liverpool ambassador Gary McAllister stepped in to collect the award for Slot, who was named Manager of the Season.
“Arne will no doubt be extremely proud and honoured to receive such a prestigious award… it’s unfortunate he can’t be here, so I’m happy to accept it for him,” McAllister told Sky Sports News.
Slot’s absence — contrasted with McAllister’s presence — only emphasises the weight of the pressure on the Liverpool manager as he grapples with the club’s current crisis.
McAllister also commented on the team’s poor run: “It’s very hard to pinpoint why things have unraveled… Recruitment seemed strong, the signings looked excellent, but 12 games in, it just hasn’t clicked.”
Club chairman Tom Werner’s appearance at Anfield during the Nottingham Forest defeat further underlined how seriously the ownership views the slump.
McAllister’s honest assessment echoes pundit Martin Keown’s belief that Slot should be given time, with the manager’s decision to stay out of the spotlight signalling his total focus on fixing results rather than attending ceremonies.
Pressure Intensifies as Liverpool Hit Unprecedented Low
Liverpool’s current standing — 11th place with just 18 points from 12 matches — marks a drastic fall from last season’s title-winning heights.
The 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest was only the fourth time a visiting side has beaten Liverpool by three or more goals at Anfield in the Premier League era, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Slot’s decision to skip the awards speaks volumes: he is clearly prioritising the urgent task of restoring performance levels over celebrating last year’s achievements.
Despite promising pre-season additions, the team has yet to gel, with issues evident in both attack and defence.
The signs of urgency are unmistakable — Slot avoiding public appearances, Werner’s in-person oversight, and senior figures offering vocal backing — all signalling that Liverpool’s response to the slump will be firm but calculated.
Ultimately, Liverpool’s route back to stability depends on Slot turning past success into immediate solutions, and the club’s actions show he fully understands the magnitude of the moment.