Reflecting on this time, what will he think? First, he faced questions at a press conference about whether he had spoken with Xabi Alonso. Then, in a separate interview, he was asked if success at Liverpool was still within his reach.
Recently, Arne Slot’s cheerful demeanor has faded, and understandably so. Once celebrated for leading Liverpool to their 20th title, he now finds himself under fire from large segments of the club’s fanbase, seemingly holding onto his position by a thread.
Managing Liverpool has always been a challenging task, but lately, it seems nearly impossible. One week brings approval, the next, disapproval. Slot might feel like a gladiator in the arena, waiting for the crowd’s verdict—such emotional swings contrast starkly with the club’s ideals.
There’s disappointment that Liverpool isn’t contending with Arsenal for the title in the final stretch of the season. However, the criticism directed at Slot—and some of the questions he’s been asked—has crossed the line during one of the club’s most emotionally taxing times.
Arne Slot has come under siege from large quarters of the Liverpool fanbase in recent weeks
Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring for the Reds as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Marseille
In response to a TNT Sports question before a match in Marseille, Slot remarked, “If you’ve won the league at a club that’s only done so twice in 30 years, I find that surprising,” addressing whether he needed to prove he could meet Liverpool’s expectations of glory.
“If that’s the case, I have to accept it. I’ve employed the same strategies as last season. Whenever we’ve trailed, I’ve opted for offensive substitutions, and whenever possible, I field a team as attacking as possible,” Slot explained.
He stayed true to his word in Marseille and Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to a 13th game; in the last 1170 minutes of action, they have been behind for just 54 minutes and they have kept clean sheets in the San Siro, the Emirates Stadium and, now, the broiling Stade Velodrome.
From the first whistle, Liverpool were terrific and full value for the shellacking they gave to the home side, a performance which evoked echoes of a dominant display here in December 2007, a 4-0 win for Rafa Benitez’s squad propelling them onto a run that saw them reach the semi-finals.
Slot sussed out a while ago that unless he is winning every game 4-0 and having 40 shots per game with 85 per cent possession, it won’t be enough for some who harbour the perception that Liverpool should automatically be successful, not that it needs to be earned.
But, quietly, there have been promising green shoots: Florian Wirtz is influencing games and looks stronger; Jeremie Frimpong is having a positive impact at right-back, Hugo Ekitike carries the kind of swagger a Liverpool number nine requires.
They all had a role in what was Liverpool’s most professional and polished night of the season, the authority they exerted over a Marseille side that has been scoring goals for fun in Ligue 1 about as complete as the Head Coach could have hoped for, an evening after which he was entitled to smile.
As was the case in Milan five weeks ago, the last time Slot went into a Champions League fixture with questions about his position, Liverpool responded impressively. If there was no faith in the plan he devised and the tactics he implemented, the final score would not have been 3-0.
Slot is getting a tune out of his right-back Jeremie Frimpong after a slow start to life at Anfield
Hugo Ekitike had a goal disallowed but he carries the swagger a Liverpool striker should have
Cody Gakpo added the third for Liverpool as they secured three points on Wednesday night
Clearly, the squad is buying into what he is saying to them. His critics won’t want to hear that and, doubtlessly, they will be waiting for the next misstep, which could even come at Bournemouth – a team that carries a degree of unpredictability – this weekend.
Something about Liverpool, however, tells you they are going to peak as spring blooms. Slot’s messaging never changes when he analyses games and he has trust in the process he is overseeing, even if some remain ambivalent.
You would think, given everything he has had to contend with, that someone from Liverpool’s hierarchy would step forward and provide Slot some much-needed public backing and it remains curious why Sporting Director Richard Hughes has not done so. He should change this soon.
Slot, in the eight months since Liverpool became Champions, has faced up every week, taken every question and tried to find the right words against the backdrop of tragic situation that people shouldn’t need to be reminded about, all while trying to blend a new team.
The Dutchman has handled more stress since last May than many contend with in a lifetime yet he knows the scrutiny about his job will persist and those who have made their mind up already won’t be for turning.
Such chaos would have broken many men but Slot ploughs on and so he should: Liverpool’s values are about patience, they are not a basket case like Chelsea or Real Madrid, where a manager can be thrown to the lions after delivering triumphs. It’s time such reasonable behaviour followed.
Whisper it quietly, he might even do so again in May. The idea has long persisted that Liverpool would be more suited to the Champions League this season than the domestic grind; maybe a long walk on the path down to Budapest is how it’s all going to play out.
The sceptics won’t see it that way. Slot, fortunately, can still see the bigger picture. He will be better for facing the storm head on.
