After a weak performance in the FA Cup Quarter Final against Manchester City, despite beating Fulham2-0, the Champions League Quarter Final exit has summed up Liverpool’s season under Arne Slot.
With a spot in next season’s competition under threat, could this be the beginning of the end of his tenure at Anfield?
If we look at the Premier League table, the Reds are fifth and hold a five-point gap over Chelsea, Brentford, and Everton.
Some fans might say, “Well, that’s not that much of a big deal.” However, all it takes is for them to draw two games, or draw one and lose one, and either of those three to win three games on the bounce, leapfrogging them.
So, what has been different from last season?
Change in Philosophy Not Working
Liverpool in the Jurgen Klopp era was a thrill to watch, with their high-intensity, heavy-metal football, which suited the club’s DNA.
In Slot’s first season, he didn’t change the style of play that much, and it worked. However, as soon as he started to implement his more controlled philosophy of play, it didn’t quite suit the club’s DNA.
Liverpool is a club that likes to play with passion, emotion, and heavy-metal rock-and-roll football, which is exactly what Klopp brought to the club.
Slot’s more controlled style may have worked for one season, but you could argue that it’s not sustainable.
It just feels that the club has transitioned to another way of playing too soon.
A club should always have a DNA and recruit players and coaches who have the same philosophy of playing.
That’s why it’s surprising that they didn’t wait for someone like Julian Nagelsmann after Euro 2024?
If a club has a DNA that works, they shouldn’t shy away from it.
Sell To Buy Summer?
Having gotten rid of stars like Trent Alexander-Arnorld(now at Real Madrid), the club may have to do another sell to buy summer, and go back to their smart recruitment of players.
While Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Isak look like very good signings, you wouldn’t really class it as smart recruitment.
Smart recruitment is buying players who suit your club’s philosophy, and while they are Slot-style players, they don’t match up to the identity of a Liverpool-style player.
If Liverpool wants to maintain its success in the future, it needs to return to the club it once was under Klopp.
That doesn’t mean they have to sack Slot now, but if I’m Fenway Sports Group, I would see if the Reds make Champions League football.
If not, I would seriously think about a change, Xabi Alonso maybe?
What are your thoughts?
Should Slot remain in charge at Liverpool?
Send us your thoughts on World In Sport.
Slot should go we are tired of his rubbish playing football style he should go back to Netherlands