Former Liverpool stars Peter Crouch and Joe Cole have given their verdict on Arne Slot being fired after Anfield booed the head coach again during the draw with Chelsea
18:18, 09 May 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool players Peter Crouch and Joe Cole are in agreement that Arne Slot deserves more time at Anfield, even after he was booed loudly by many of those inside Anfield today.
Rio Ngumoha was substituted with cramp in the second half, but Reds supporters wanted him to stay on the field. Alexander Isak was introduced but the home crowd was unimpressed when Ngumoha's number went up on the fourth official's board.
As a result, there have been more conversations around fans about Slot's future and whether he is the right man to have in charge after the summer, with Champions League soccer set to be secured.
READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Chelsea as Rio Ngumoha starsREAD MORE: Arne Slot responds to Liverpool boos as fans react angrily to Rio Ngumoha decision
"I think there is an element of that," Crouch said on TNT Sports when asked if Slot had lost the fans.
"There is a slight unrest with the manager at the moment and sometimes I think because it was so good under Jurgen Klopp, you have got to park that. He was a one-off.
"The style of football was so exciting and so attacking. But it is very difficult to live up to that and unfortunately the style of play and maybe some of the recruitment, have they been up to the levels, certainly, of previous seasons? No.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea
Arne Slot is under fire from Liverpool fans once again after the draw with Chelsea(Image: (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images))
"I think that is disappointing the fans and the fans are very knowledgeable in this stadium. They [aren't sure] if this is the direction that they want to go.
"In the summer, certain conversations have to be had in terms of do they double down and back Arne Slot, or if this is the direction that they want to go. Those are the questions for upstairs."
"He definitely deserves (the chance to turn things around)," Cole added.
"Jurgen Klopp was loved by the fans and I don't think there was a better connection between the manager and the fans in world football. The players seemed like they loved him too.
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"But he won the league last season, Slot. That has to count for something. There are lots of circumstances around it, so he does deserve (more time) but sometimes in football, you don't get what you deserve.
"Xabi Alonso is available and I keep coming back to that. I think you look at the quality of players that are here and the type of players that are here, and the Liverpool board might think about moving him on.
"I don't think he deserves it, but it is a unique situation. Xabi was such a big player here. He's such an impressive young manager and you might not get another chance to get him."
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Liverpool.com says: Slot has work to do but he said in his post-match press conference that he was "100 per cent" sure that things will look different next term. With Mohamed Salah leaving, getting the right replacement in will help. With a couple of good signings, it is possible for things to look much better quickly.