Slot and Amorim Face Pressure in Liverpool vs Manchester United Clash
Liverpool boss Arne Slot must discover ways to bounce back following three straight losses for the Premier League title holders, yet the upcoming Sunday encounter against Manchester United carries even greater weight for Ruben Amorim.
AFP Sport examines the obstacles confronting each manager before this eagerly awaited showdown between England's two most decorated football clubs.
Slot's initial major test
The Dutch coach transformed the daunting job of replacing Jurgen Klopp into something straightforward last term, guiding Liverpool to the league crown with four matches remaining and matching United's tally of 20 English top division triumphs.
During Slot's inaugural season, Liverpool endured consecutive defeats just once, which occurred amid their Champions League elimination and League Cup final defeat in March, as the exhausting winter fixtures took a heavy toll.
The team aimed to strengthen their foundation, investing a Premier League record sum of almost £450 million ($604 million) on fresh acquisitions during the transfer period.
On two occasions, Liverpool shattered their own transfer record with deals for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
However, neither player has netted a Premier League goal for the club so far, and this extensive squad refreshment has unsettled the smoothly functioning unit from the previous campaign.
Mohamed Salah has appeared far from his peak form, even facing backlash for his defensive efforts before Chelsea's last gasp goal a fortnight back.
Although they secured their first seven fixtures across all competitions, early indicators of trouble existed for Slot.
Inconsistent displays were masked by several stoppage time victories until Liverpool's fortune deserted them in tight losses against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.
Slot's squad trails league leaders Arsenal by a single point and has ample opportunity to steady the course.
Prolonging Manchester United's goalless run at Anfield past ten years might deliver the ideal boost for the defending champions.
Nevertheless, failure to secure a win would spark significant doubts about Slot's capacity to maximise the potential of his newly assembled roster of elite talents.
Will Amorim face the axe soon?
Ruben Amorim received a temporary reprieve thanks to a 2-0 victory over Sunderland prior to the international interruption.
Manchester United co owner Jim Ratcliffe has suggested the Portuguese manager possesses "three years" to demonstrate his worth, though Amorim himself recognises this claim lacks credibility.
"You know, I know and Jim knows that football does not operate in that manner," the ex Sporting Lisbon head coach remarked on Friday.
"It is encouraging to sense the backing, but in football, particularly at major clubs, we must show every weekend that we are prepared to claim victories."
United enter the weekend in 10th position after suffering three losses in their initial seven league outings, still recovering from a humiliating League Cup ousting at the hands of fourth division Grimsby.
In spite of yet another costly revamp of their attacking options costing £200 million over the summer, tangible improvement remains elusive.
Approaching a year since taking charge, Amorim has not managed consecutive Premier League successes and has accumulated only 37 points across 34 league fixtures.
Securing a triumph at Anfield would mark his most notable achievement as United's manager to date and offer concrete proof of his potential to resurrect the struggling English powerhouse, despite widespread opinion that his tenure may already be doomed.
"It (Amorim's dismissal) will occur sooner or later," ex United midfielder Nicky Butt stated to The Times. "I cannot envision a reversal."