Arne Slot's man-management skills in for big test at Liverpool after heart-breaking moment - opinion

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If Arne Slot did not have a big enough problem as it is, he now faces a challenge that does not come about all too often. The Reds had been going through a rough patch after losing seven of their last 10 games, meaning this break in the season has come at a good time.The international break gives players the chance to recharge a little, with the change in scenery likely doing many the world of good.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis.

However, there are still games to play, with these being World Cup qualifiers for most, meaning they cannot fully take their foot off the gas.Two Liverpool stars learnt that the hard way too, with Slot now having his man-management skills tested after both of them suffered absolute heartbreak.Photo by Hrach Khachatryan/Getty ImagesDominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez need to be picked back upNot all of Liverpool’s players had qualified for the World Cup, with Hungary one of the nations that were hoping to make it to the play-offs in March.However, a 95th minute goal for Ireland saw them lose the game 3-2, ending their chances of making the 2026 World Cup.Dominik Szoboszlai was visibly distraught after the game and was seen crying on the pitch, with this a very cruel outcome given how much he has put into his team.He could barely speak at full time either, showing just how much it has taken out of him, with both he and Milos Kerkez likely needing a bit of time to process what has just happened.For Slot, though, he needs to go about this in the right way, with a calm, nurturing approach the best, with the duo needing to be cut a little bit of slack if they are not in the right headspace.READ MORE: Liverpool duo Hugo Ekitike and Ibrahima Konate disappoint national media despite easy France win Do you want Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract and stay at Liverpool? Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images With Nottingham Forest coming up on Saturday, there is not a lot of time to get over it, suggesting they could even miss out altogether if things are too tough.Dominik Szoboszlai will bounce backAlthough Kerkez might too, Szoboszlai’s character is a little different and he is the type of person to put things right by working even harder.He has led by example for the Reds this season, and it would be no surprise to see him do the same despite what has happened to him.He really is the captain without the armband and in the future, he very much could become the main leader at Anfield should he stick around.It has been a very tough week for him and Kerkez, but with the right man-management, then this might not become as big an issue as it would for others.