Steve Nicol shares what Arne Slot must now do to lift the ‘big heavy cloud’ hanging over Liverpool

Wed 19 March 2025 18:15, UK

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 Par🀅is Saint-Germain before putting in a disappointing performance in the Carabao Cup final.

Liverpool were very much second best against a Newcastl🌞e United side intent on ending a trophy drought tha🤪t 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.

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

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 tไhe 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 thatꦅ the place ♐will be a little deflated.”

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

He said: “Th﷽e 💙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🍎 on💮e thing in football – you cannot feel sorry for yourself.

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

“The way that they come into training and get the p🌄layers 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 th𝕴anks to their win over Chelsea.

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

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