Arne Slot has been assigned a key focus for January as a recurring issue at Liverpool becomes evident once again.

It’s that time of year when many announce their plans for a month-long detox following the excesses of the festive season. For Liverpool, however, the risk of a “dry January” takes on a different meaning.

After a disappointing 2-2 Premier League draw at home to struggling Manchester United on Sunday, followed by a 1-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg loss to injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, Liverpool have hit their first rough patch under Arne Slot. This marks the first time the Reds have failed to win consecutive games since Slot succeeded Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season.

The new year hasn’t begun smoothly for Liverpool, who face a grueling schedule of eight matches in January. Historically, January has been a challenging month for Liverpool, particularly under new managers. Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, the Reds have remained unbeaten in January across all competitions on only five occasions. Two of those came under Klopp—last season when they reached the League Cup final, and in 2019/20 during their Premier League-winning campaign. Another was under Brendan Rodgers in 2013/14, which fueled their title push.

However, unbeaten January runs haven’t always led to success. In 2008/09, Rafael Benitez’s side recorded one win and four draws that ultimately cost them the title. The other unbeaten run came in 1995/96 under Roy Evans. Additionally, Liverpool’s record in New Year’s Day fixtures has been poor, with only three wins in their last 11 opening matches of the calendar year.

Slot is navigating his first experience of the congested English festive and New Year schedule, which intensifies with the FA Cup, League Cup semi-finals, and the final Champions League group games. Klopp faced similar struggles during his first January, winning only three of nine games. A year later, his side managed just one win in nine matches, exiting the League Cup, FA Cup, and falling out of the title race.

Other foreign managers have also struggled. Benitez lost four of seven games in his first January, while Gerard Houllier won just two of five. Even British managers haven’t found New Year kinder—Roy Hodgson was sacked after two January matches in 2011, and Graeme Souness was dismissed following a late-January FA Cup loss in 1994.

Despite these challenges, Slot’s position remains secure given his strong start at Anfield. But as history shows, January often presents a difficult period for Liverpool managers. Overcoming this traditional slump will be a top priority for Slot in the co

ming weeks.