Bald Claims - Where Has it All Gone Wrong for Arne Slot This Season?

Slot Down

When Arne Slot arrived at Liverpool, he looked like the ideal successor to Jurgen Klopp. Calm where Klopp was emotional, methodical where Klopp was chaotic, the Dutchman brought fresh ideas without tearing apart the identity that had made Liverpool one of Europe’s elite.

After delivering a Premier League title in his debut season, there was genuine belief that Slot could build the club’s next great era. Instead, just 12 months later, Liverpool supporters are asking serious questions.

The mood around Anfield has turned toxic at times this season, with boos following disappointing performances and growing frustration aimed directly at the manager. For a coach who appeared untouchable less than a year ago, the decline has been dramatic.

Boo’s all around Anfield pic.twitter.com/3aNyVXSAX2

— Slotoholic (@Slotoholic) May 9, 2026

What Has Gone Wrong with Liverpool?

The biggest issue has been identity. Liverpool under Klopp always had a clear personality. In the German’s very first press conference, he told the fans to turn from ‘doubters to believers.’ Klopp then went on to have one of the most decorated spells at Liverpool, taking them from fearless to the most feared team in the world.

Slot initially managed to preserve parts of that while adding more control in possession, but this season the balance has completely disappeared. The reigning Premier League Champions have lost 18 times in all competitions this season. They have certainly identified themselves as a mediocre team this season.

Liverpool Are Too Passive

The pressing has lacked coordination, the midfield has looked slow, the attack has become predictable. The list of reasons could go on and on. Too many matches have followed the same pattern. Far too many times this season Liverpool have found themselves going 1-0 down, which further encourages opposition to play a low block Slot criticises weekly.

Tactically, Slot has also faced criticism for overcomplicating things. Several players have been used out of position throughout the season, including Jeremie Frimpong being deployed higher up the pitch despite looking far more comfortable at right-back.

Fans have increasingly questioned whether Slot is trying to force his system onto players rather than building around their strengths.

Poor Recruitment a Major Flaw for Liverpool

Liverpool spent heavily following their title-winning campaign, but the rebuild has not clicked. Big-money signings arrived with huge expectations, but several factors such as injuries and tactical confusion have prevented the squad from developing chemistry. Football Park understands the new signings have not jelled well with the squad, causing a ‘tense’ atmosphere behind closed doors.

The departures of experienced figures have arguably hurt more than Liverpool anticipated, particularly in terms of leadership and mentality. Many have pointed to Liverpool’s lack of squad depth, but again questions have to be asked of Slot again. He was the one that said he wanted a smaller squad.

Replacing an Icon and Emotional Hardship

Replacing Klopp was never going to be straightforward, even after Slot’s excellent first year. Klopp’s personality carried Liverpool through difficult periods because supporters trusted him unconditionally. Slot has not built that same emotional connection, and as results deteriorated, the atmosphere quickly shifted from patience to suspicion.

Some of Slot’s handling of the media and supporters has only intensified scrutiny. Reports in recent weeks have highlighted concerns over his ‘antagonistic’ style, a trait that may have been tolerated during success but become magnified during failure.

Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025

However, it feels only fair to mention the emotional setback that came with the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. Words will never be able to describe how devastating a blow that had on the entirety of the club, and some will never know how much it truly has effected the players, but Slot’s handling of that situation was exceptional and should not be looked over.

The pressure has been compounded by Liverpool’s defensive problems.

Set-pieces have become a recurring weakness, with Liverpool conceding an alarming number of dead-ball goals this season. Injuries and constant defensive reshuffling have not helped, but the lack of organisation has been impossible to ignore. In previous years, Liverpool looked physically dominant and mentally resilient. This season, they have appeared fragile. That fragility has seeped into Anfield itself.

One of the most shocking developments of the campaign has been the crowd reaction. Liverpool supporters are known for backing managers during difficult moments, yet boos have greeted substitutions and full-time performances in recent weeks. The reaction to Slot replacing teenager Rio Ngumoha during the draw with Chelsea showed just how frustrated supporters have become.

Perhaps the most worrying aspect for Liverpool is that there has been little visible improvement. Usually, struggling sides at least show signs of progression. Instead, Liverpool’s performances have remained inconsistent throughout the season.

Even Slot himself has admitted standards have fallen below what is expected at the club. If you asked every Liverpool supporter in the world how many times have Slot’s side played well this season, you’d be lucky to get a handful of performances named, and that’s the reality.

The Xabi Alonso Factor

Whether realistic or not, constant speculation surrounding Alonso has increased the pressure on Slot enormously. Many supporters view the former Liverpool midfielder as the long-term dream appointment, and every poor performance only fuels those conversations further.

Xabi Alonso was originally expected to be the solution to all of Liverpool's problems, but now reports suggest that Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint him as their permanent manager 👀https://t.co/xhUx6hR3FZ

— GOAL (@goal) May 13, 2026

The longer Liverpool drift, the louder the noise becomes. This has become increasingly clear after reports came out about the Spaniard eyeing up the Chelsea job in recent days.

The Setbacks

Every team gets injuries, so it should not strictly be an excuse, but Liverpool have had rotten luck this season. The Red’s have had 20+ injuries, with a list that includes:

• Alisson Becker (2x Hamstring Injuries)

• Conor Bradley (ACL & Knee Injury)

• Wataru Endo (Ankle Ligament Injury)

• Hugo Ekitike (Torn Achilles Tendon)

• Alexander Isak (Broken Leg)

• Joe Gomez (Multiple Injuries)

• Mohamed Salah (muscle fatigue/hamstring issue)

• Giorgi Mamardashvili (Leg Injury)

• Giovanni Leoni (ACL Tear)

• Stefan Bajcetic (Hamstring Issue)

Liverpool spent £450 million pounds last summer, yet all their new signings have only managed to play a combined 125 minutes of football when together on the same pitch. Very harsh luck.

Is Slot to Blame?

It would be wrong to not point a large part of the blame on the Dutchman, but he is not solely responsible. At times this season, his squad has massively let him down with woeful performances.

No matter how bad you think Arne Slot is, that squad should be capable of beating one of the promoted teams at Anfield, beating a Wolves side that’s won three times all season, whilst also getting only 7/30 points against the stereotypical ‘big six’.

I also think it is fair to consider the injuries the club have faced. Six players injured for over 5 months of a season is torrid luck, whether that gets viewed as an excuse or not.

But football moves quickly, especially at elite clubs. Right now, Liverpool look like a team stuck between eras. No longer Klopp’s heavy-metal machine, but not yet fully convinced by Slot’s vision either, which begs the question as to whether the Dutchman deserves time. After all, he delivered a Premier League title in his first season.

What Does Liverpool's Future Hold?

This time last year, Liverpool received a guard of honour from league runners up Arsenal, with Slot’s slide clapped on as Champions onto the Anfield turf. Now, with two league games remaining this season, the Red’s are overlooking teams such as Bournemouth and Brighton with Champions League football not yet guaranteed. A staggering turn of events in 12 months…

The worrying part for Liverpool supporters is not just that results have declined, but the belief has started to disappear too. There is no right or wrong answer as to whether you think Slot should continue as manager, but we will leave you with one final question:

If Arne Slot’s two Liverpool season had been swapped around, would he be under as much pressure as he currently is?