Liverpool is in a challenging phase this season, having endured six losses in their last seven games, the worst performance among Europe’s major leagues. With another crucial period ahead, which includes a Champions League match against Real Madrid and an away game against Manchester City, the pressure is mounting on manager Arne Slot as they prepare to face Aston Villa, who have recently won four matches in a row.

In a recent press conference, Slot expressed concerns about his squad’s depth after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup. He later clarified his comments, stating, “I am completely happy with the players at my disposal,” though he will miss key players like Alexander Isak and Curtis Jones for the upcoming match.

Slot: “I am completely convinced by the strategy and the policy that we have, but the issue is that some players have not had a proper pre-season or have been injured. A few injuries mean relying heavily on the same players, and while we were luckier last season, this year has been more challenging.”

As Liverpool eyes a turnaround, the stakes are especially high ahead of Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET kickoff. Arsenal could widen their lead against Burnley earlier that day, threatening to create a significant gap between them and reigning champions Liverpool. With further challenges afoot against Tottenham and Manchester City, Liverpool’s path this season has never felt more daunting.

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