Slot Gone

[Steveo]

They were sticking with him - the fans forced their hand.

I have a bridge to sell anyone who is falling for this latest round of F$G PR.

[Joetan991]

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: regardless of the circumstances, I think Slot has to go. It shouldn’t matter who signed the players. As a head coach, your primary responsibility is to get the best out of the squad you have.

From what I’ve seen over the past two years, it feels like only the Dutch players have consistently performed at their best under him. (The one major exception is Salah last season, and for that I give Slot full credit because his performances were absolutely outstanding.)

My second concern is his man-management. I genuinely believe he has divided/lost the dressing room. Too often, it feels like he is more interested in winning the press conference than winning Premier League matches. I’ve never seen a Liverpool manager publicly criticise his own players the way he does. Even more frustrating is that he rarely seems willing to admit his own mistakes.

Thirdly, his apparent disregard for the youth setup has been very disappointing. Players like Morton, Quansah, Kelleher, and even Jones, Ramsay and Rio should have been given more opportunities to prove themselves. Instead, it looks like many of them will leave the club and possibly flourish elsewhere. Squad management has also been questionable. We’ve seen first-team regulars like Kerkez, Isak and Mac Allister struggle at times, yet he continues to stick with the same selections instead of giving meaningful minutes to players like Robertson, Endo, Jones, Ekitike (before Isak’s injury) or Chiesa. As a fan, that is hard to watch.

My fourth issue is his training philosophy. Reports of low-intensity sessions and frequent days off during the season have been frustrating, especially when results have been poor. Slot himself mentioned in the press that he could even return to the Netherlands to spend time with his family during breaks. I have no problem with rest when the team is performing well, but during a difficult period I would expect a stronger response—more intensity, more work, and more urgency.

A lighter workload may benefit established starters, especially experienced players like Van Dijk and Salah, but it can be detrimental for squad players who are not getting regular minutes. If they are suddenly called upon to play at Premier League intensity without enough match rhythm or training load, injuries become more likely. In my opinion, this problem started around February last season, when Klopp’s physically demanding system had already built up the squad’s endurance, but that foundation gradually faded under Slot’s approach.

As for Andoni Iraola, I honestly think he is one of the most underrated managers in football and a perfect fit for Liverpool. At Bournemouth, he has repeatedly taken young players with potential and developed them into top-level performers. Interestingly, many of the players who have left his system have not looked as good elsewhere, which suggests he truly knows how to maximise a player's ability. That, in my view, is exactly where Slot has struggled.

If Liverpool wanted an established elite manager, they could pursue someone like Mourinho. However, I believe the club values a certain Liverpool DNA—a manager who can build a new golden era around talented young players, develop them beyond expectations, and play exciting, high-pressing football that the supporters love.

I totally disagree with Slot's suggestion that high-pressing, attacking football is no longer suitable in the modern game.

The best teams always find the right balance. You don't have to choose between all-out pressing and complete control. We've seen that with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and even with Klopp's Liverpool during his final one or two seasons. They combined intensity with composure, knowing when to press aggressively and when to control possession.

From a fan's perspective, that's the kind of football Liverpool should be playing—fast, energetic, and entertaining. What frustrates me about Slot's approach is that it often feels slow, predictable, and lacking a clear attacking identity. Liverpool's DNA has always been built on intensity, bravery, and exciting football, not a cautious style that drains the energy out of the game.

For those reasons, I believe Iraola would be a better fit for Liverpool’s long-term vision, and I wouldn't be surprised if, given the opportunity, he ultimately proves to be more successful than Slot.

In conclusion, I don't actually blame FSG. In my opinion, they have invested and backed the club financially. While Edwards and Hughes may not have delivered the strongest transfer windows over the past one or two seasons, recruitment alone is not the deciding factor.

A head coach's job is to maximise the potential of the players already at his disposal. The very best managers improve individuals and elevate the entire squad beyond expectations. Unfortunately, that is where I feel Slot has fallen short.