Eight defeats in 11 games has meant questions are beginning to arise over Arne Slot‘s suitability to take Liverpool forward.
While we are still some time away from Slot losing the support of Anfield, it has been understandable that some fans are beginning to lose faith that Liverpool can re-find their form this season.
Slot still “retains the unwavering support” of FSG, though, according to the Athletic journalist James Pearce, who added that “he has a huge amount of credit in the bank after exceeding all expectations in his first season.”
Results haven’t been satisfactory this season given the signings made over the summer, but Liverpool chairman Tom Werner was saying back in June that he didn’t expect the year ahead to be easy.
Speaking in Pearce’s new book, Walk On: Inside Arne Slot’s Liverpool, Werner said: “This summer was a different scenario to last summer.
“We felt there were players available who could strengthen us, and I’m sure those fans who always want us to spend money in the transfer market are happy with some of the decisions we took.
“It’s hard climbing Mount Everest once. It’s hard climbing it the second time. In fact, it might even get harder each time because the intensity you have when you achieve something together for the first time is so strong.
“I hope we’re not at the pinnacle. I hope that when we’re sat here chatting in five years, we have more incredible memories to look back on.”
Tom Werner calls Michael Edwards Liverpool’s “father of success”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 27, 2025: Fenway Sports Group Director of Football Michael Edwards during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-1 and became League Champions. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Upon Jurgen Klopp‘s exit, the appointment of Slot wasn’t the only crucial factor leading to Liverpool’s Premier League title success of 2025.
Before that, FSG had to convince former sporting director Michael Edwards to return, ultimately offering him the position of FSG’s CEO of Football.
“He’s extremely bright, extremely successful. His record is peerless,” said Werner of Edwards.
“He was critical in rebuilding the structure, which included not just appointing Richard Hughes as sporting director, but also the staff under him, like the scouts.
“They say success has a thousand fathers and failure is an orphan. Well, I’d say Michael is probably the preeminent father of success (at Liverpool).
“Without his leadership, which was so important in identifying Richard (Hughes) and identifying so many of the players who have been so critical to the success we’ve enjoyed, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, May 26, 2025: Liverpool's Chief Executive Officer Billy Hogan (L) and Director of Football Michael Edwards during an open top bus parade through the city as the Reds celebrate winning the FA Premier League and becoming Champions of England for the 20th time. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Asked if he Edwards needed much persuading to come back after leaving Liverpool in 2022, Werner replied: “Yes and no.
“He’s a very talented man and I’m sure he had a lot of competing offers, but Liverpool is Liverpool.
“Key for Michael was our commitment to purchasing a second club. That’s very much still the plan, but it has to be the right opportunity.
“We’ve looked at a number of clubs and it just hasn’t been the right fit yet. I do believe eventually that will happen.”
Malaga and most recently Getafe were under consideration for purchase by FSG, but neither have ended up being bought.
According to Spanish publication Marca, FSG’s decision to pull out of a projected £115-£160 million takeover of Getafe was largely based on the finances involved in the deal and the restrictions imposed by La Liga.
Previous reports via the Athletic have revealed Spanish sides Levante, Elche, Espanyol and Real Valladolid as other possible targets.