Arne Slot's Liverpool contract isn't being handled in the same way as Jurgen Klopp's was(Image: AP)
During a grim October, Arne Slot [responded with mild incredulity](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/arne-slot-new-liverpool-contract-32789725) when asked if he would be holding talks about a new contract any time soon. “That is the last question I was expecting,” he smiled. “Let us first start to win again, that’s where my main focus is.”
Since the end of October, Liverpool have won nine out of 19 games across all competitions, drawing six and losing four.
It seems that number of victories is not enough to precipitate negotiations over a deal to replace the one that runs out at the end of next season. And it is safe not to expect any contract talk any time soon. Not when Manchester United are lording it over you in the table.
But Slot’s contract situation IS interesting. More specifically, the fact that it has yet to be extended is interesting.
There were reasons many people expected Slot and Liverpool to make a fresh agreement last summer. Winning the Premier League, the Dutchman had enjoyed an excellent first season and there was, of course, a precedent.
After Jurgen Klopp’s first season at the club - one that actually began in October and brought no honours - he signed a new six-year contract, to the background noise of fulsome praise from the ownership.
“When you have an individual of Jurgen’s quality in the building, it makes perfect sense to secure that person for the long term. To not do so would be irresponsible,” declared a statement from principal owner John W Henry, chairman Tom Werner and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon.
The paean to Jurgen went on.
“His (Klopp’s) leadership will be critical to everything we hope to achieve,” continued the statement.
“The ideas and plans he has for the football infrastructure excite us. We believe it benefits the organisation to have Jurgen committed to Liverpool for a sustained period to make sure he is here to oversee this development.”
Now, I might be mistaken but I cannot recall owners’ tributes to Slot being so lavish after his title win. There was a brief hug with Henry, after which Slot said he could not remember what the American had said to him.
There has certainly been no contract. And there is unlikely to be while Liverpool are outside the top four and while a section of the fanbase seem unconvinced Slot is the man for the long term.
Which is harsh. His second season is not going ultra-smoothly, for sure, but, essentially, Slot is finally feeling the heat for, well, not being Klopp.
At this stage of the season that followed the 2019/20 title-winning season, Liverpool were only four points better off than they are now. They had 40 points from 23 matches and would eventually finish third, with 69 points, 17 points adrift of winners Manchester City. Again, I might be mistaken but there was no clamour for Klopp to go.
Slot’s Liverpool have played 30 matches across all competitions this season, winning 17, drawing six and losing ten.
In Klopp’s 2020/21 season, his team won 16 of their first 30 matches across all competitions, drew nine and lost five.
Not too dissimilar but, although I again might be mistaken, there was no clamour for Klopp to go. Rightly so, because these should not be sackable numbers.
Klopp had more credit with the owners at that time but, after last season, Slot should also have plenty. But, as understandable as it is after the less-than-stellar form, the silence on his contract might suggest he hasn’t.