Arne Slot walks alone. Or almost. Upon his arrival on the Liverpool bench, Arne Slot (47) showed that he had the shoulders to lead a very big club and especially to take over from Jürgen Klopp. Last year, he won the title in his first season in the Premier League. During the first part of the season, his team even impressed, which was considered one of the best in Europe with FC Barcelona. But what followed was less brilliant, with an elimination against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Despite everything, LFC had a good year overall. But some voices were raised to say that Slot rode on the work done by Klopp before him and that we would see the true face of his team during his second season.
Arne Slot is under more and more pressure
A formation which has evolved since the residents of Anfield have spent more than €500 million to afford several recruits, including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. But for some, notably the German and the Swede, the mayonnaise is difficult to take at the moment. The team’s executives, like Mohamed Salah, are a little less brilliant. Liverpool, who had to deal with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota this summer as well as departures like that of Luis Diaz, are in tough times. This season, the Reds (11th place in the standings) have a total of 6 victories and as many defeats in the Premier League. The last one was on Saturday against Nottingham Forest. At home, Van Dijk’s teammates lost with a score of 3-0.
A setback which made the press react this weekend and which continues to make people talk this Monday. A man is also at the center of the debates. This is Arne Slot. When the team is doing badly, we tend to point the finger at the coach, even if certain elements like Isak are very criticized. Concerning the coach, who is struggling to find solutions despite the millions invested by his club to strengthen itself during the summer transfer window, The Sun indicated this Monday that if the situation persists, he will be threatened by his management. So he could be fired after winning the Premier League title last year. This happened to others before him, like José Mourinho when he was at Chelsea or Claudio Ranieri with Leicester City.
The criticisms are getting louder
Under pressure, the Dutchman made a strong gesture yesterday. Crowned Coach of the Year by the Northern Football Writers Association, he did not attend the ceremony at the last minute. He was represented by the club. The 47-year-old coach preferred to avoid this public appearance to work and get his team back on track from Wednesday in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven. He intends to win as he feels the tide turning. The English press is already ruthless with him. Former Everton man Martin Keown said: “the situation is quickly deteriorating for Arne Slot. It was Jürgen Klopp’s team, and he tried to make changes, but they are regressing.
Also joining the Toffees, Ashley Williams said: “It’s the first time today that I’ve said to myself: ‘I’m not sure Arne Slot can solve this situation at Liverpool.'” Ex-Reds man Jamie Redknapp urged caution: “That’s what I expected last season. We must now be patient.” In the show Match of the Day, Danny Murphy assures that Slot will be fired if he doesn’t change things quickly: “A lot of players need to question themselves because among the players from last season, I would say only Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, and maybe Robertson came close to last season’s level, and that’s not enough. What can Slot do now? »
His succession is already mentioned
He continues: “he has to make important decisions, which means doing without some key players, because a return to basics is essential. Defend better, work harder, be more physical, put in the necessary effort – it sounds very basic – but he has to pick his 11 most physical players, the ones he thinks will defend best for him and start scoring points, because if he continues to lose matches he will lose his job.” Some are already thinking about what comes next. Jürgen Klopp’s name comes to mind. Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) and Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) are also mentioned, notably by bookmakers. Another name is also being talked about across the Channel.
Questioned by the Liverpool EchoIgor Biscan, former member of the house, confided: “Slot is a great coach, he deserves all the praise and he needs time. There are so many new players, and it takes time for them to find their automatisms. I am convinced that they will start winning again very soon (…) Xabi Alonso coach of Liverpool? I think it’s still a possibility if he continues his momentum, if he succeeds and if he makes a difference. Every time we look at his teams, they perform so well, they have a clear structure and the quality is always there. Who wouldn’t want a coach like him? At Real Madrid, some are not necessarily convinced by his methods and his playing philosophy. What is certain is that at Liverpool, we are already observing the situation of Xabi Alonso. For the moment, Slot, under contract until 2027, is still there and he intends to save his skin.
