A six-nil stroll against overawed opponents from Azerbaijan may also turn down the noise surrounding Arne Slot. Having just lost at home to Bournemouth, Slot didn’t help himself by suggesting defeat by PSG a year ago may have eased the Reds’ path to the title. According to Slot, the player is struggling to cope with the loss and is not sure to be back for the Newcastle game. Slot has been criticised for being unimaginative and underusing Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa in particular. One way of ensuring that it’s out of reach would be to sack Slot and cause yet more turmoil.