Following Liverpool’s defeat against PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the Reds will not win a single trophy this season, with head coach Arne Slot facing the bulk of the blame.
Liverpool were dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester City after a cataclysmic 4-0 defeat, having previously lost thier place in the League Cup after being beaten by Crystal Palace – the same team who defeated them in the Community Shield before the season’s dawn.
As for their Premier League title challenge – this has been dead in the water for several months. A 3-0 home defeat against Nottingham Forest was the final nail in the coffin, which came all the way back in November. Suffice to say, this has been a cripplingly disappointing season for Reds fans.
Arne Slot’s past successes
Slot’s first season as Liverpool manager was, despite his recent failings, a clear success. He won the Premier League title during his first season in the job – only five Premier League managers have achieved such a feat in the past.
The Reds weren’t always convincing in 2024/25, but they consistently did just enough to get over the line. In the end, they won the title by a considerable ten point margin. On top of this, they also reached the final of the League Cup and didn’t lose a single league game by more than two goals.
These glory days of old had buoyed Slot’s reputation for a time, but now, they are looking ever more distant – especially after a summer of such profligate spending.
A disastrous summer transfer window
Liverpool’s failings in the summer have been repeated ad nauseam by every media outlet in the game, but it cannot be overstated quite how poorly the Reds performed in the summer.
Players such as Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak were all brought in for premium prices, only to for them to produce bargain bin results.
Wirtz and Isak cost Liverpool a combined £241.5 million, but they have only notched up six goals and four assists between them this season. For comparison, Harry Wilson, a player Liverpool sold to Fulham for £12 million, has ten goals and six assists to his name in the current campaign.
There was one diamond in the rough – Hugo Ekitike, who had initially been bought to act as an understudy to Alexander Isak. However, following Isak’s poor form and subsequent injury woes, Ekitike swiftly became Liverpool’s main man in attack.
Sadly, Ekitike suffered a significant injury in the Champions League last night. Reports suggest it could rule him out for the rest of the season and the 2026 World Cup [via Daily Mail] – if so, this would be a massive blow for Liverpool.
What does the future hold for Liverpool and Arne Slot?
Liverpool’s decline under Slot has been incredibly alarming for Liverpool fans. The lack of quality performances, breakdown of player/manager relationships and carefree spending has been deeply concerning to see.
Does this mean Slot should be sacked? Perhaps, but Liverpool face a major rebuild in the summer if thge Dutchman leaves the club – something they likely cannot afford. Not only did they spend £446 million last summer, they’re also set to miss out on the Champions League ahead of next season.
Due to financial reasons, Slot should probably remain in place for now – but the former Feyenoord manager is definitely on ever-thinning ice.