Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Arne Slot (Liverpool manager) walks close to the bench prior to kick off during soccer game FC Inter vs Liverpool FC, UCL
It’s hard to find many supporters for Arne Slot at Liverpool at this moment in time. The Dutchman is firmly under the microscope, with Anfield’s crowd turning.
But there’s one man who believes the Liverpool manager isn’t getting the respect he deserves. That’s his former assistant, Marino Pusic.
He’s been speaking to Voetbal International this week, admitting he turned down the chance to reunite with Slot at Liverpool in 2024. Now he wants to defend his friend amid the rising tide of criticism.
A bond built at Feyenoord
Marino Pusic’s admiration for the Liverpool manager is unmistakable. They worked together at Feyenoord, and their time as a pair left a deep impression both professionally and personally.
“It was a real pleasure to work with Arne,” he said.
“We have a special bond. That has since become a form of friendship. As far as I am concerned, he is one of the best coaches in the world.
“I am talking about his demeanour, his football philosophy, how he conveys it, and his manners. I can only speak lyrically about him.”
More Liverpool credit deserved
Despite guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, Arne Slot is facing criticism from sections of the Liverpool fanbase this season.
The Reds’ title defence has been nothing short of a disaster, with Liverpool 21 points behind Arsenal at this point. They currently find themselves in a battle to qualify for the Champions League, with five points separating them from Aston Villa in fourth.
Fifth will secure Champions League football next season. But there’s a battle for that spot too, with Chelsea a point behind in sixth and Brentford and Everton three behind in seventh and eighth.
Pusic, though, believes the reaction to Liverpool’s form this season has been unfair and, historically blind.
“I think Arne deserves much more credit at Liverpool right now than he is getting,” he added.
“Many people forget how frequently Liverpool has become champion of England in recent decades. Arne did it right away in his first season, but Jürgen Klopp has also only won the Premier League title once.
“Before that, Liverpool last won the league title in 1990. And now it is expected that Arne will win the title twice in a row. Especially because so much money has been spent. That doesn’t always work.”
Stay calm and carry on
Marino Pusic instead believes that Liverpool need stability. This summer is already shaping up to be a big one, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson already departing.
Reports have also linked Alisson with a departure. That would leave only Virgin van Dijk from the team that was so successful under Klopp.
Changing manager as well, would lead to even more instability. And Pusic doesn’t think that would be a wise move.
“They would do well at Liverpool to remain calm and give Arne and his staff, with Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, their confidence,” he concluded.