What Arne Slot said quietly to journalists could prove blessing as new Liverpool take needed

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Three defeats in a row have sent Liverpool heading into the international break at a low ebb, but things aren't as bad as they may seem, writes Paul GorstPaul Gorst is the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent and brings readers the inside track on all matters Anfield day in, day out. He brings you all the latest Liverpool news first each day, plus exclusive interviews and insightful, independent analysis.

A journalist with over a decade's worth of experience, he has worked at the ECHO since 2016.In a meeting with a handful of journalists recently, Arne Slot revealed that the purchase of a new car meant he no longer had access to some of the radio stations he had previously tuned into on his drives to Liverpool's AXA Training Centre. It's proven to be ideal timing, as it turns out, given the knee-jerk reactions of some of the usual blow-hards that are likely now forthcoming on the back of three successive defeats.The Liverpool head coach might be better tuning his dial to something far more relaxing for the next week or two, particularly given the dearth of club football during the international period usually provides fertile ground for some reactive sensationalism.But despite entering the break on the back of his worst official run as Reds boss, with three successive defeats across as a chastening week, some perspective is much needed.READ MORE: Alexander Isak private fitness talks continue as Liverpool theory set for ultimate testREAD MORE: Federico Chiesa strong message sent as Arne Slot told to stop picking 'underwhelming' Liverpool manBack-to-back Premier League losses feels significant for Slot, whose adaptation to English football at one of the biggest clubs in world football has proven so serene.Last season, Liverpool went seven months between them in the top flight, with September's 1-0 Anfield reverse to Nottingham Forest being followed by March's 3-2 setback at Fulham and by that point, the champions-elect were 11 points clear of Arsenal.There's an argument to be made then, that the 2-1 reverse at Crystal Palace was the first league defeat of any consequence for 12 months.

But by following it up with another one, particularly having also been sent packing from Istanbul by Galatasaray, it's understandable that some alarm bells are now ringing.Even the most sensible and level-headed of observer might be moved to suggest that Slot's side are yet to put together a complete performance this term and their flair for late drama, which was was their superpower in the early weeks, has seen them caught cold with concessions in the 97th and 95th minutes in London of late.The under-performance is explained, in part, by the high volume of turnover for a club that has previously been a bastion of stability when it came to their playing staff.In the summer of 2024, just Federico Chiesa was brought to the club and his adaptation process meant that Slot essentially kept the same squad that was bequeathed to him by former boss Jurgen Klopp.This time out, it's been quite the marked change, with headline-grabbing deals for the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak giving little margin for error by the judge and jurors eager to pick holes in what has been a difficult period.Nine players signed and 10 sold is quite the transformation and the revolving door at the Kirkby base's entrance will have been a congested area this summer having recouped in sales around half of an outlay that totalled £444m in the window.Of course, there are problems to solve for Slot. Getting Isak fit, establishing a tactical blueprint for Wirtz and figuring out a way to get Mohamed Salah firing are just three of the posers the head coach is faced with right now.But back-to-back defeats are offset by a maximum return from the opening five games that have included Arsenal and Everton at Anfield, a scorned Newcastle United at St James' Park and fourth-place Bournemouth.The fixture list will, in time, begin to look more favourable for the champions, and a new-look squad will be further along in its development by then.The contrast in how Liverpool entered the September international break - fresh off beating Arsenal and signing Isak - could hardly have been different to October's, but the fact remains that the Reds remain just a point behind the leaders with 31 games to play.Slot, though, won't expect to hear such a glass-half-full assessments on his radio anytime soon.