The harsh reality Liverpool have to face after a major change of heart in Arne Slot
The plan was to bring in a Dutch coach from Feyenoord to support a Dutch coach from Feyenoord. Until Liverpool decided they had more Dutch coaches from Feyenoord. Etienne Reijnen, the set-piece specialist who was supposed to liaise with Arne Slot as well, will not come. The space is gone.
His departure may have been welcomed by most of the fans who had turned him away, but it came with great regret at Anfield. However, it represented a quick and sudden change of heart.
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Liverpool’s support in the slot was such that they never stepped in when Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso. They insisted that he plans to strengthen his backroom staff. Slot, on the other hand, expected him to return for a third season at Anfield – as he was disappointed by his dismissal. He believed that he had the support of the group. Until a few days ago, it seemed like he did.
Arne Slot’s sacking comes after sudden change of heart at Liverpool (PA)
The end-of-season reviews were harsh. Slot, one of only two men to have been Liverpool’s champion in the past 36 years, was axed after two seasons. Liverpool was a club that never sacked their title-winning managers; apart from Kenny Dalglish, but in his second spell. Slot left 12 months after his victory; a sign of more impatient times, perhaps.
Keeping him had the obvious risk that he would be Erik ten Hag, or Brendan Rodgers – the manager who was fired in the autumn when the decision was finally that, as many thought at the time, he should have left last summer. Slot’s argument was always that, with fewer injuries and smarter recruiting, a third season under him would be better than a second. Liverpool ultimately decided not to test that idea.
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Director of football Richard Hughes made the decision, supported by Michael Edwards and the Fenway Sports Group. Hughes had led the nomination of Slot; now his successors include Andoni Iraola, who was brought in by the Scot from Bournemouth. Liverpool’s management prefers to keep a low profile; However, they have questions to answer.
Andoni Iraola could be Liverpool’s next manager (Getty)
The slot may end up holding a can for their poor hire; £450m created more problems than it solved. Alexander Isak has raised more problems for a manager who has been handed a £125m white elephant than defending opponents. The narrative developed, however, that Slot won with Jurgen Klopp’s team and lost with his.
It was very unfair. Slot’s tweaks helped turn a side that finished third in 2024 into champions the following year. The subsequent signings were not all; injury problems weakened and the whole season came under the shadow of the tragic loss of Diogo Jota.
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That was shocking. Some situations were difficult. Slot behaves politely and often has a sense of humor. Personally, he deserves a lot of sympathy. Some of it was coming from within the club. Liverpool did without hesitation. The decision didn’t sit easily with them or feel entirely fair. But, as their statement says, they decided that “change is necessary”. Growing up, it was felt that a big change was needed; maybe the injured Slot could be trusted to stand up.
The gap has fallen from a Premier League winning streak in the last 12 months (Getty)
Some of these numbers were surprising. Liverpool only scored 60 points, 24 less than last year. The number of their goals decreased by 23. They have conceded more goals than in any previous season in 38 Premier League games. In all competitions, they have lost 19 times. And there were no signs that things were getting better. Liverpool have taken just two points from their last four games. In all competitions, they have won just three of their last 11.
The Slot had planned a revival of sorts after a terrible fall season of nine losses out of 12; Liverpool did not lose any of their next 13. However, it was felt that many fans were thinking about October or November. Fan sentiment was the cause of his eventual dismissal, although he was far from alone.
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But when people turn to Slot, so does football in general. The style of play as the Premier League became faster, more physical. He could complain about set-pieces and low blocks, but Liverpool had to fight them and often didn’t. Slot proved a calm solution for Klopp but Liverpool concluded they needed a more urgent, forward and aggressive style of play; heavy-metal football Mohamed Salah said they lost.
Mohamed Salah criticized Slot’s style of football as he left the club (PA)
Salah’s decline certainly didn’t help that. There are ways in which circumstances conspire against Slot. There were also times when he seemed to have few answers to the questions being asked. Perhaps the man who, 12 months ago, appeared to replace Klopp can now testify to the difficulties of succeeding Klopp.
He can certainly wonder if things would have been different if his season had been reversed: fifth the first year, first the second. However, the truth is that they were not. He achieved something Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, who would be respected figures and managers who were given six seasons, could not, and they made champions. It wasn’t enough to save him.
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It is expected that Slot will be paid the final year of his Liverpool contract. He should not need a long break from management. His success at Anfield should land him another job with Europe’s top club.
Liverpool felt he was one of the best managers in the world game and, as imperfect as his time at Anfield, he deserves another big job. But Liverpool look to be a huge task for his successor as they head into a turbulent summer.
