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It would have seemed unthinkable six months ago, but Arne Slot’s position as Liverpool manager is starting to come under question.

A humiliating 4-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on Wednesday was the Reds’ ninth loss in 12 games – their worst run in 71 years.

The Dutchman guided Liverpool to their 20th league title in May and spent almost £450m on new talent in the summer, including a British record £125m for Alexander Isak.

However, as December approaches the Reds are 12th in the Premier League and 13th in the 36-team league phase of the Champions League.

The 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest at home on Saturday was bad but the loss against PSV was arguably the low point of Liverpool’s season.

“Liverpool seem to keep finding ways to hit new lows under Arne Slot, and of course, that is leading to questions around the manager’s future,” Josh Sexton of Liverpool fan group the Anfield Wrap told BBC Sport.

“He will accept that as part of the pressure that comes with such a reputable job, but now the biggest question has become ‘is he the right man to actually rescue a team from such a slump?'”

Slot faced the unenviable task of replacing Jurgen Klopp in 2024 but defied expectations by winning the title at a canter last term.

That has earned the Dutchman significant credit among Liverpool’s fanbase.

There is also sympathy for Slot after a tumultuous summer that saw the exits of key players including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz, an influx of new signings and the death of Portugal attacker Diogo Jota.

“I do not mind giving him the chance to have a go [at fixing this],” Sexton said.

“I just think, given what he achieved in such a short space of time and how that had this team so far ahead of their timeline, his bosses should keep the faith that he can get back on that road – back to where we belong.”

Liverpool cruised to the league title in Slot’s first season in charge, finishing 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

“If they were to sack him, I would be gutted that the man who brought me such brilliant days watching my team lift the league title last season could not work it out, but I would equally understand and try to trust the decision that had been taken,” Sexton added.

“I would hold reservations about the people sacking him being the same ones involved in the decision-making that led to such an imbalanced squad as it is at present.

Speaking after the PSV defeat, Slot said his job was not under threat but he did understand why there was growing noise about his position.

“I am feeling safe, I am OK, I have got a lot of support from above,” he said.

“It would be nice to turn it around and get a victory of course but if you are working as a coach and not doing well then it is normal that questions are asked.

“I am OK with my position. It is not the first time I’ve been in a difficult position but it is about time that we turned it around.”

Liverpool’s next three fixtures offer Slot a promising opportunity to right the ship, starting with a trip to 17th-placed West Ham on Sunday before matches against promoted sides Sunderland and Leeds.

Asked about his conversations with the Liverpool hierarchy, Slot added: “We talk a lot. They are helpful to the team and to me and we have those conversations but they don’t call me every single minute of the day to say they trust me.

Former Reds defender Carragher, who made 736 appearances for the club, said he was frustrated with Liverpool’s players.

“I have always been in the camp that you stick with the manager… I’m angry with the players, if I’m totally honest,” Carragher said on CBS Sports.

In the past, Liverpool have tended to show patience with their managers rather than sacking them at the first sign of trouble.

“Liverpool’s not a sacking club,” Carragher added. “Liverpool are different from almost every club in European football – the manager is the king, the manager gets time.

“But it does get to a stage for any manager at a club where it’s untenable. It can’t go on any longer.

Sean: Arne Slot won the league with Jurgen Klopp’s side. He ripped it apart in the summer and look where we are now. They look clueless. He has to go, I’m afraid.

Mark: Getting silly now. I have no idea where this ends. Slot’s got to have until Christmas, but if things don’t improve soon then I can’t see him being in a job in 2026. The players’ confidence has just evaporated.

Graham: Stunned to be honest. Another early goal and Liverpool seem to just give up. I have never seen a team make so little effort in a match bar a couple of players. If Liverpool aren’t careful, we could be headed for relegation this season. Absolutely shocked.

Jan: Woeful. Disorganised. No plan. How much more time will be given to a manager who is lacking any idea on what to do? The players should hang their heads in shame – Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike are honourable exceptions. A dreadful game once more.

Paul: No fight and players out of position. The buck stops with Slot and his coaching staff. Same mistakes week in week out. Don’t like to see managers get sacked but he looks out of his depth. Need to change it now!

Chris: A decade of solid development destroyed in 12 games. Motivation has gone and it is not down to the new players as it’s almost every aspect of the team. Dominik Szoboszlai is the standout player and he is out of position. What is going on? Where are the leaders? Where is the effort? Where is the soul? We are very much walking alone.

Next spring, Lewis Crocker will voluntarily defend his IBF world welterweight title in Windsor Park.

In front of a sold-out crowd at Northern Ireland’s national football stadium in September, the Belfast fighter defeated Paddy Donovan by split decision to take the vacant belt.

The fight between Crocker and Donovan, a rematch of their March fight, which ended with Donovan’s disqualification, marked boxing’s first appearance in Windsor Park since Carl Frampton’s victory over Luke Jackson in August 2018, in a rematch of that fight.

A defense is anticipated for 11 April, with a choice of opponent set to be announced in the coming two weeks.

Crocker, who has won 22 professional fights, has been vocal about his desire to face Conor Benn, who triumphed over Chris Eubank Jr. in a dominant victory over their rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 15.

In a statement to BBC Sport NI prior to that fight, Crocker’s manager Jamie Conlan mentioned Mario Barrios and Benn as potential options for the 28-year-old.

However, Englishman Benn claimed that Boxing News Crocker is not on my radar really.

Next spring, Lewis Crocker will voluntarily defend his IBF world welterweight title in Windsor Park.

In front of a sold-out crowd at Northern Ireland’s national football stadium in September, the Belfast fighter defeated Paddy Donovan by split decision to take the vacant belt.

The fight between Crocker and Donovan, a rematch of their March fight, which ended with Donovan’s disqualification, marked boxing’s first appearance in Windsor Park since Carl Frampton’s victory over Luke Jackson in August 2018, in a rematch of that fight.

A defense is anticipated for 11 April, with a choice of opponent set to be announced in the coming two weeks.

Crocker, who has won 22 professional fights, has been vocal about his desire to face Conor Benn, who triumphed over Chris Eubank Jr. in a dominant victory over their rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 15.

In a statement to BBC Sport NI prior to that fight, Crocker’s manager Jamie Conlan mentioned Mario Barrios and Benn as potential options for the 28-year-old.

However, Englishman Benn claimed that Boxing News Crocker is not on my radar really.

Starting with this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, Russian athletes will be permitted to compete under their national flag, according to the International Judo Federation.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in September 2022, the IJF extended the prohibition on Russian and Belarusian judokas until January 2023.

After the IJF permitted athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete as neutrals, Ukraine canceled the 2023 World Judo Championships.

In June, Belarusian athletes were permitted to compete under their own flag, and the IJF has now approved of Russia.

Russia has historically been a world leader in judo, and its full return is anticipated to enhance competition at all levels while upholding the IJF’s principles of fairness, inclusivity, and respect, the IJF said.

In extremely challenging circumstances and environments, “sport is the last bridge that unites people and nations.”

Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete in the Winter Olympics, which will begin on February 6 under a neutral flag, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Russian and Belarusian skiers and snowboarders will not be able to compete at the Games because the International Ski and Snowboard Federations voted against that decision last month.