Arne Slot's shocked response was perfect - he already knows reality of Liverpool future

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Having dropped to seventh in the table, Chelsea, Crystal Palace or Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion could also all overtake them before they take to the pitch against the Villans.READ MORE: Arne Slot rules out two key Liverpool players for Aston Villa after confirming injury boostREAD MORE: Arne Slot makes Liverpool tactics admission amid poor form - 'It does go against my beliefs'Unai Emery’s side will also leapfrog Liverpool with a win at Anfield, with Newcastle United then joining the list of sides that are capable of moving ahead of the Reds if results go against Slot’s side this weekend.It seems remarkable to think the reigning Premier League champions could find themselves as low as 12th after just 10 games of their title defence, if they indeed fall to a fifth successive English top-flight loss.Slot and his side are preparing for a huge week off the back of a dismal run of form, with clashes with Real Madrid and Man City looming before heading into the November international break.The pressure is mounting on the Dutchman, with the scrutiny even greater after his much-changed Liverpool side lost 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace in the League Cup in midweek. The same is true for Ibrahima Konate this year as he navigates his only final year of his deal.But Slot is now nearing the midway point in the three-year contract he signed when named as Jurgen Klopp’s successor last year.Regardless of which way Liverpool’s form goes next, there will have to be developments on his future one way or another in the forthcoming months.It is easy to forget that it is only three weeks since reports suggested that Slot’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, was in talks over a possible extension for the Reds head coach.A reminder of how quickly a narrative can change when results start going against you, but also how quickly they could easily turn back as the Dutchman looks to get Liverpool back on track.These past six losses do not undo last year’s Premier League title triumph and all the hard work that went into that, after all.

Nor was his familiar answer."I think you are not going to be surprised about my answer,” he said. So I say nothing or what I think I should say."However, he did concede he could see himself overseeing a lengthy reign at Anfield - akin to predecessor Klopp and Pep Guardiola at Man City - though there was one obvious condition."That's hard to say [but] I could see it, yes," Slot said.

So I could see myself working here for a long time because it's a great club to work for and I'm really happy over here.“That is probably true (that winning the league helps). I don’t think it will be enough if after five years I say: ‘Do remember that in my first year I won the league title.’“Maybe it is different in the modern era and compared to other clubs, but the reason Pep is there for nine years and Jurgen was here for nine years is that they both won a lot as well.”Questions about a new contract for Slot are nothing new, even if the timing of the latest query amused him.Be it on the eve of lifting the Premier League trophy or after a run of six losses in seven games, the Dutchman’s answer remains the same.