Arne Slot has recently cut a different figure to the calm, somewhat benevolent figure Liverpool fans have come to know him as since his appointment in June 2024.
Frustrated by a perceived notion that he is failing with the Reds this season, the Dutchman has come out swinging during a series of poorly received press conferences.
Slot was strangely agitated after Liverpool beat Qarabag on Wednesday, and his messaging is starting to rub supporters up the wrong way.
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What have you made of Slot’s recent press conferences?
The Dutchman is starting to annoy a LOT of people 😱
Arne Slot speaking to the media after Bournemouth v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
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However, although there is little in supply in the ruthless world of social media, the Liverpool head coach does deserve some sympathy from supporters as he deals with questions on the Reds’ transfer strategy.
The world and his dog can see that Liverpool need reinforcements this January, but for reasons best known to themselves, the Reds are choosing to do nothing. Slot is the public face of that, but ultimately it is not his decision. Sporting director Richard Hughes should be the one answering questions, but as he continues to dodge the cameras, it is becoming obvious that FSG‘s current hierarchical model is not sustainable.
Liverpool need a manager, not a head coach
When Slot was hired 18 months ago, there was emphasis on the fact that he was arriving as a head coach, not a manager. The idea behind that is that he focuses on training the team, leaving squad planning and other off-pitch matters to the sporting director.
Some would argue that, given Liverpool’s Premier League title win last year, this approach has worked, and maybe that is fair. But large, foundation-destroying cracks have soon started to appear.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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What is becoming ever more clear is that Liverpool need to have a manager, not a head coach. The club is far too big to be run by proxy.
Too much decision-making power currently lies with the likes of Hughes and Michael Edwards, leading to Slot feeling like a lame duck when things start to go poorly.
Jurgen Klopp was very much the opposite of this, with the German having much more control over decisions made in shaping the squad. He still had to defer to Edwards and his team at times, but the football club felt like it was his. In these turbulent times, that is very sorely missed.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto
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The cult of the manager is arguably stronger at Liverpool than any other club. The Reds have only employed 20 bosses in their 134-year history. Fans need that real leader to latch onto and believe in.
Perhaps Slot can still be that, but there is currently a feeling that the 47-year-old is simply a cog in FSG’s machine, the man wheeled out to deal with the press and answer difficult questions. Long-term, that is not going to work at Liverpool.
Richard Hughes needs to face the music
If Slot has become the face of Liverpool’s failure to defend their title in any way, shape or form this season, then Hughes should be thanking him for that.
The former Portsmouth midfielder has not escaped criticism from supporters, far from it, but he has been able to move in the shadows, letting Slot answer the very valid questions on transfer strategy – or lack of it.
It is understandable that FSG wanted to try something different following Klopp’s long reign and taking a more collaborative approach with a less experienced head coach was perhaps a safe decision.
But Hughes does not appear capable of handling such a big job and there is little question that it is he who should be facing the music, not Slot.
The pair could still form a successful partnership at a smaller club, they are both clearly good at what they do. But this is not a strategy that can work long-term for Liverpool. FSG need to recognise this and bring back an all-seeing, all-knowing manager and change direction again.
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