Liverpool Manager Arne Slot Faces Growing Concerns Amidst Poor Form
Arne Slot has already cemented his place in Liverpool history.
The 47-year-old Reds manager is featured on a prominent banner displayed on the Kop before every home game, alongside legendary figures such as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish, Rafael Benitez, and Jurgen Klopp—all of whom have led Liverpool to top-flight titles or European Cup victories.
After clinching the Premier League in his inaugural season and investing nearly £450 million in a revamped squad over the summer, it appeared that Slot was poised to continue this success into the current season.
However, following a strong start with five consecutive wins—albeit with some late drama—Liverpool has now gone over a month without a Premier League victory. The team currently sits seventh in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal, and suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
After enduring six losses in their last seven matches, BBC Sport reached out to Liverpool fans to gauge their sentiments regarding the team's performance and their thoughts on the manager.
'We are losing patience'
Slot's squad selection for the EFL Cup loss to Crystal Palace has sparked considerable debate. He made ten changes from the previous match, granting two debuts and including three teenagers in the starting lineup, with five more on the bench.
Notable players such as Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, and Hugo Ekitike were all absent, leading to a disappointing exit from a competition the club has won twice in the last four years.
Liverpool supporter Abigail Rudkin expressed her disappointment with Slot’s decisions. "Walking to the game last night, my dad and I saw the team sheet and thought, 'he's sacrificed this.' I understand we're losing games, but it's vital to restore a winning mentality. We are losing patience. There seem to be two factions within the fanbase: those on social media calling for his dismissal and those, like myself, who are frustrated but still want to support him, especially considering what he achieved last season after Jurgen Klopp's departure seemed imminent."
Supporter Richard echoed similar sentiments, noting the complexities of Slot's situation. "The issue is that Slot won the Premier League with Klopp's team, which was remarkable. However, after spending hundreds of millions to put his mark on the squad, things have started to unravel. On the sidelines, he appears uncertain about how to rectify the issues. We've lost our pressing game and now play at a pace reminiscent of training, only ramping up in the last 15 minutes when chasing the game. This is not the Liverpool way."
Fellow fan Ryan believes it is premature to consider replacing Slot but acknowledges that players must also take responsibility. "We don’t become a bad team overnight. However, some of Slot’s decisions don’t help. Liverpool operates differently, and while I can’t see us parting ways with him and his staff soon, results ultimately matter. If improvements aren’t made swiftly, we know how this story could end. The players need to step up as well; many have performed well below the standard expected at Liverpool."
'More than footballing reasons behind slump'
Josh Sexton, a Liverpool supporter and contributor to The Anfield Wrap, shared his insights on the reasons behind the team’s struggles this season. "Key players are out of form, several are battling fitness issues or injuries, and there’s a lack of continuity from last season. Many of the changes made in the summer were necessary, and I doubt many fans regret the departures of players, except perhaps Luis Diaz and the emotional connection with Trent Alexander-Arnold. The loss of one player in particular, under tragic circumstances, has had an immeasurable impact beyond football."
Sexton highlighted the emotional toll of Diogo Jota’s passing, stating that it has affected not only the players who were his teammates but also new arrivals who have entered a dressing room grieving the loss of a close friend. "The tributes from the club and supporters serve as a constant reminder of the incredible person we were fortunate to have among us, but they also evoke feelings of grief that can be challenging to navigate at an elite level. Yet, Liverpool must rise to the occasion as the reigning Premier League champions, even while dealing with such profound loss."
'Always going to be a tough season'
Earlier this month, Liverpool captain Van Dijk acknowledged the team’s mourning following Jota’s death in a car accident in July. "It was always going to be a tough season," he remarked after a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on October 4. "Nobody expected it to be smooth sailing. We anticipated ups and downs for various reasons, and all we need to do is stick together."
Former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock commented on Radio 5 Live, saying, "You have a team that’s grieving in the locker room. Integrating new players into that environment is incredibly challenging. It undoubtedly affects performance because they are human beings. Every time I visit Anfield or watch Liverpool play, I notice the tempo drops during the tribute to Jota, which can last 5-10 minutes. It’s a tough situation for everyone involved."