Liverpool have a decision to make over Arne Slot
Weirdly similar to Manchester United and Ten Hag saga
Gary Neville might have seen the signs
Manchester United legend Gary Neville might soon be reminding Jamie Carragher of their fiery exchange over Arne Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp. The Liverpool manager is coming under increasing pressure, and there is talk of the sack.
Slot is feeling the heat in his second season in charge at Anfield, nearly a year on from winning the Premier League title. A disastrous 4-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals has cast major doubts over his future.
The Dutchman joined compatriot Erik ten Hag in the top flight when he succeeded Jurgen Klopp in July 2024. His appointment came with some scrutiny from Neville who felt he might not be able to handle the pressure of replacing such an iconic coach.
Neville and Carragher’s Slot Argument
Neville and Carragher got into a heated argument when Liverpool turned to Slot. Back in September 2024, the pair discussed United’s decision to stick with Ten Hag rather than appoint a replacement.
Ten Hag oversaw two trophy wins, including the FA Cup at the end of the 2023-24 season. But the sack loomed for the Dutch tactician after an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.
INEOS opted to keep him in charge, and Neville seemed to point out that recruiting managers is a difficult operation. His stance was that Liverpool failed to appoint their top target, Xabi Alonso.
Carragher hit back, claiming that Slot was the Merseysiders’ ideal Klopp successor. This was disputed before he asked Neville on Stick to Football: “Why did United not go for Slot then?”
Neville explained: “They probably looked at Slot, I haven’t got a clue, but they probably thought ‘, Can we get rid of a guy who has won two trophies in two years? Why did United not go for Slot then?”
To which Neville responded: “They probably looked at Slot, I haven’t got a clue, but they probably thought, Can we get rid of a guy who has won two trophies in two years? Who has not been backed by a proper structure to bring in another Dutch manager?”
Carragher highlighted the amount of money Ten Hag spent during his time in charge at Old Trafford. But their conversation is worth recalling, given the similar situation Liverpool is encountering.
A Case of Deja Vu
The club’s higher-ups have a decision to make over Slot’s future just a season after a Premier League title win. Neville clearly felt that INEOS believed Ten Hag had enough credit in the bank to stay on and he’d probably raise this when assessing the current situation at Anfield.
Slot, like Ten Hag, has been backed and does have a proper structure in place. If he is dismissed, there are eerie similarities between the manner of his potential exit and that of his fellow Dutchman.
What’s also been interesting to watch, regarding Slot’s nosedive in the dugout this season, is his response in the media. He’s shown an arrogance that United fans were used to with Ten Hag, almost never willing to accept that he is failing to get the best out of his players.