‘Absolutely a huge part’: Steve Nicol says there’s one thing Arne Slot must urgently do to get Liverpool back on track

Liverpool might still be at the top of the Premier League table, but they’ve been left reeling by a tough week in which they were knocked out of two competitions.

The Reds were knocked out of the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain before putting in a disappointing performance in the Carabao Cup final.

Liverpool were very much second best against a Newcastle United side intent on ending a trophy drought that stretched all the way back to the 1960s.

Now, Anfield legend Steve Nicol has spoken about a “big heavy cloud” hanging over Liverpool and what Arne Slot must do to get rid of it.

READ MORE: Liverpool icon Paul Ince once named the hardest opponent he ever faced

Steve Nicol tells Arne Slot and Liverpool coaches to ‘lighten the atmosphere’ at AXA Training Centre

Nicol and fellow pundit Craig Burley spoke on ESPN FC about how Liverpool may be feeling “deflated” after the difficult week they’ve had.

“It almost feels like they’ll be going in with their heads down a little bit,” said Burley.

“And they’ve got a Premier League title they’re probably going to win, but it almost feels that the place will be a little deflated.”

Nicol then spoke of how important it is for the manager and his staff to mix things up in training and do whatever it takes to lighten the atmosphere.

He said: “The staff and the manager have to give themselves a shake, change things, mix training up and get people enjoying themselves and just try and lighten the atmosphere.

“It feels like a big heavy cloud’s hanging over the lot of them, so you’ve got to move the cloud.

“There’s one thing in football – you cannot feel sorry for yourself.

“The manager and his staff – absolutely a huge part of getting rid of that cloud is going to be down to them.

“The way that they come into training and get the players out of the funk that they’ll probably will be in.”

Liverpool and Arsenal’s remaining Premier League fixtures

With Liverpool not playing in the Premier League last weekend, Arsenal have now narrowed the gap to 12 points thanks to their win over Chelsea.

And while 12 points is still a big gap, it’s imperative for the Reds to get out of their slump and keep the Gunners at arm’s length when the league resumes.

Liverpool are up against Tottenham and Chelsea in their last nine games, as well as having the Merseyside derby when the league resumes.

Meanwhile, Arsenal don’t face any of the traditional Big Six in the Premier League between now and the end of the season.

Both sides are now on 29 games, and Arsenal are also expected to have Bukayo Saka back after the international break.