Anfield was once a fortress a place Liverpool completely relied upon in their quest for silverware. From legendary European nights to tense, high-stakes Premier League encounters, the fans have historically acted as the team’s twelfth man.
However, this past season felt entirely different inside the stadium. Supporters are visibly losing the faith they once placed in their team, and the final day of the season against Brentford was just another sobering case study.
The Reds limped to a 1-1 draw, and the Bees almost snatched a late winner as they pushed for a European spot. On a ground where Kopites used to regularly see their side push teams aside, dominance has completely vanished over the past 12 months.
Arne Slot has borne the brunt of the criticism from pundits and fans alike. His defensive-first philosophy stands in stark contrast to the thrilling “Heavy Metal” football adopted by Jurgen Klopp.
Despite the safer tactical blueprint, the Merseyside outfit still concedes far too many goals while completely lacking spark in attacking areas.
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has been one of Slot’s most vocal critics on social media, with large sections of the fanbase now echoing his frustration. Following the final whistle, Pennant took to X (formerly Twitter) to fiercely question the decision-making of the club’s hierarchy:
“The board can not be sitting in the directors’ box watching this absolute garbage, and think and talk amongst themselves, and come to the conclusion that this manager will be challenging for silverware next season!!! Hanging on to Brentford. This should be the nail in the coffin.”
The board can not be sitting in the directors box watching this absolute garbage, and think and talk amongst themselves, and come to the conclusion that this manager will be challenging for silverware next season!!! Hanging on to Brentford. This should be the nail in the coffin.
— Jermaine Pennant (@pennant83) May 24, 2026
Hanging by a thread: Slot’s may misery continue
This latest setback is hardly an isolated incident; Liverpool’s performances have been plummeting below expectations for over a month. A recent trip to Old Trafford offered almost no attacking threat against their fiercest rivals, while another dismal 1-1 draw at Anfield against Chelsea deeply angered the home crowd, prompting boos to ring out from the terraces on three separate occasions.
In an alarming statistic for a Liverpool head coach, the Dutchman has never won a game in May. The shift in atmosphere from last year to this year represents a complete 180-degree turn moving from the heights of being Premier League champions to looking utterly lost.
While many fans and pundits have mirrored Pennant’s calls for Slot to be sacked or step down, the board has reportedly given him the nod to lead the club into next season.
However, the stakes have never been higher. The Anfield rebuild is still taking shape, and with Slot entering the final year of his contract, the club is walking a incredibly tight line between success and failure.
While financial backing is expected to swing his way again with key additions targeted out on the flanks—the money spent on world-class talents last year has yet to pay off. Scraping into Champions League qualification is a poor return on the squad he was handed. With rival teams expected to improve, Liverpool risks falling out of the top four entirely next season if they do not adapt.
Dressing room discord: The breakdown with Salah and Robertson
Beyond the tactical failures on the pitch, Slot’s management of the dressing room has become a major talking point. In December, Mohamed Salah openly spoke about their bond breaking apart after being benched for a string of matches. While fans initially backed the manager during that first dispute, the tide has firmly turned.
Following a recent 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa, Salah issued a pointed social media statement urging the club to return to the olden days of “Heavy Metal football.” Widely viewed as a direct attack on Slot’s tactics, the fans overwhelmingly sided with the Egyptian winger this time around.
The final day also carried an air of finality for some of the club’s modern legends. Pennant used his post-match reaction to thank the departing stars while taking one final swipe at the manager:
“But Mo and Robbo, thank you for your services, yous will never be forgotten and thanks for bringing us fans so much joy over the years! Wish you all the best on your next chapter. This manager will not spoil this day as we say goodbye to 2 of the greats to put on the jersey, YNWA.”
But Mo and Robbo thank you for your services, yous will never be forgotten and thanks for bringing us fans so much joy over the years! Wish you all the best on your next chapter. This manager will not spoil this day as we say goodbye to 2 of the greats to put on the jersey YNWA.
— Jermaine Pennant (@pennant83) May 24, 2026
While a fraction of Kopites still want Slot in charge and would love nothing more than to see him turn things around, the evidence of the past year makes optimism difficult. Pennant firmly blames the head coach for the club’s current stagnation, though others behind the scenes certainly share responsibility. One thing is certain: when August swings around, performances must improve drastically.