ANDY DUNN: Arne Slot needs a performance against Chelsea - so one Liverpool move is a must

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SportFootballRio NgumohaArne Slot needs Liverpool to put on a show against Chelsea on Saturday, so the Reds boss has to unleash Rio NgumohaJust under ten years ago, Liverpool entertained Chelsea in their last Premier League home game of the season.Thanks to a Christian Benteke goal in added time - aided by an error from goalkeeper Asmir Begovic - Jurgen Klopp’s team salvaged a point.They would then go on to play out another 1-1 draw at West Brom in their final Premier League match, finishing the season in eighth place, with 60 points and a goal difference of 10.Arne Slot’s Liverpool currently has a goal difference of 12 and 58 points. He needs a result.Since that 60-point season ten years ago, Liverpool’s worst Premier League campaign - points-wise - was in 2022-23 when Klopp’s side finished fifth with 67 and a goal difference of 28.

They scored 75 Premier League goals that season. This Liverpool team has 59 this season.If Slot’s team wins its last three Premier League matches, it will finish with 67 points.In theory, Slot could not wish for more hapless opponents on Saturday, Chelsea having lost their last six Premier League games.

But Slot cannot afford to end the Premier League season with a whimper.In 2015-16, Klopp only took over when Liverpool were in tenth place after eight games. He seemed to have unequivocal support and was given a new six-year contract.Slot’s contract expires at the end of next season and you would expect negotiations over a new one to take place in the summer.But if that seems unlikely now, it will seem unthinkable if his team lose to Chelsea at Anfield.The season is winding down but the pressure is still very much on Arne Slot.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Rio NgumohaLiverpool FCArne SlotPremium