Despite his Liverpool side currently being on a 13-match unbeaten run, Arne Slot is currently under a lot of pressure at the club right now.
Liverpool were expected to cruise to the Premier League title once more in 2025/26 after spending £421m in the summer, with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong all joining in big moves.
However, they have so far fallen well short of expectations. Liverpool started the season on fire as they won their five opening Premier League matches. However, the wheels have fallen off since and they are currently fourth, a distant 14 points behind leaders Arsenal.
A lot of Liverpool fans are fed up with Slot and want to see him replaced. Calls for him to leave his position have only increased after fan favourite and one of the best young managers in the world, Xabi Alonso, left Real Madrid.
Arne Slot Baffled by Xabi Alonso to Liverpool Question
liverpool manager arne slot
Ahead of the Reds' Champions League clash with Marseille, Slot was asked whether he had spoken to Alonso amid rumours that the former Liverpool midfielder could replace him as manager.
The journalist asked: "I can't help asking what you think about the Xabi Alonso to Liverpool rumours. Do they hurt you and do you feel the rising pressure from the fans that are booing their team? Maybe you've talked to Xabi, maybe he called you..."
A baffled Slot responded:
"Yes he called me and said: 'What do you think about the team because I am going to take over in six months, can you tell me a little bit more?' Or maybe earlier. Maybe he takes over tomorrow! No, no, no. This is one of the weirdest questions I ever got."
He added: "What is there to say? I have been working here for a little bit more than one and a half years and I really like my work over here. We won the league last season, struggled more in the league this season. That is also obvious, so yes what is there left to say?"
Virgil van Dijk Slams Reporter for Xabi Alonso Question to Arne Slot
Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has now defended Slot and called out the journalist for his 'very disrespectful' question. Speaking in the mixed zone after the Premier League side's 3-0 victory over Marseille, he said, per the Telegraph:
“I think that was very disrespectful. Criticism is part of the game, we all know that, but I think it is also a reason why he [the journalist] is not here [in the mixed zone, where media speak with players].
“I think criticism is part and parcel for us, that’s what we live with and it’s absolutely justified if you look at what we are doing in the season unfortunately for us, especially based on last season.
“I think we always work hard on things we can improve but we also don’t forget that with all the changes in the summer, with different faces and style of players, different combinations, you have to find training helps with that, matches even more,” Van Dijk said.
“So, it’s been a very difficult part of the season for us players and the manager as well, but in my opinion he handled it very well. We are in a results business and we all get judged – players, the manager and everyone involved with the results – and that is what we are working on to improve on a consistent basis.”
Liverpool will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak to 14 matches when they travel to the south coast to face Bournemouth on Saturday January 24.