Time's up: Liverpool must sack Arne Slot after Burnley draw with ‘one of the best in the world’ ready to joinplaceholder image
Time's up: Liverpool must sack Arne Slot after Burnley draw with ‘one of the best in the world’ ready to join | Getty Images
Liverpool failed to beat another promoted team at Anfield as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley
Liverpool’s unbeaten run stretched to 12 games on Saturday afternoon as they drew 1-1 with relegation-threatened Burnley.
However, the fact they are 12 games unbeaten does not paint the whole picture.
The Reds have drawn six of their last nine games in the Premier League - failing to beat Burnley, Sunderland and Leeds United at Anfield. Adding in their away visits to Leeds and Burnley, Arne Slot’s side have won just one game in five against newly-promoted sides this season.
They are the first reigning champions who have failed to win a home game against promoted sides.
For a team who are Premier League champions - that is simply not good enough. The Reds are in a battle for the Champions League spots and have given themselves work to do to make sure they finish in the top four.
Their latest form is an improvement from the wretched run they endured during October and November but it is still nothing that should be celebrated.
Liverpool are playing a more cautious and compact system as Slot aims to avoid losing. However, they are not exactly winning as much as they should be considering the amount spent in the summer and the quality that is within the squad.
Burnley scored from their only shot on target against the Reds at Anfield and while Liverpool do not concede as many chances compared to a few months ago, they are still too easy to score against.
Slot won the Premier League in his first season at the club and has rightly been given a chance to prove he can turn things around. But after months of underwhelming performances, it is clear the Dutchman does not have the answers to get the best out of this Liverpool team.
It might feel premature and even completely out of the question for some - but the club must relieve him of his duties and make a move for Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard has left Real Madrid but he has already shown his capabilities as a manager after winning the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen. He is a former Liverpool player and gets what it means to play in front of the Anfield crowd.
Liverpool’s recent flat performances have impacted the atmosphere on Merseyside. The team need to give the crowd something to get behind and in recent games, they have failed to do that.
Alonso is available right now and the club must go after him. There was a worry when Alonso had been linked to the job back in 2024 that one day Real Madrid would come calling.
However, he has already been there and any other club would be unlikely to convince him to leave Anfield in the future.
Alonso was hailed by Carlo Ancelotti back in May for his work with Leverkusen. The now Brazil manager said: “He has done an incredible job and he has the doors open to him because he has shown he is one of the best in the world".
Boos rang around Anfield after the Reds failed to beat Burnley. There is clearly a feeling of discontent growing amongst supporters but Alonso is somebody who could quickly get the fans back onside.
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