BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot applauds the travelling supporters after the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. Aston Villa won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot applauds the travelling supporters after the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. Aston Villa won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The media slaughtered Liverpool and Arne Slot after their 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa, with some calling for a change of head coach.
Another game, another shambolic showing from the Reds.
Here’s how the media assessed Liverpool’s latest defeat in the Premier League, with positivity nowhere to be found.
Is it time for Arne Slot to be sacked?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Daily Mail‘s Lewis Steele didn’t hold back in his criticism of Slot:
“Arne Slot had credit in the bank at the start of this torrid run (well over half a year ago btw) and rightly so after last season.
“But that has gone bust now. He has shown absolutely nothing in that period to show he is the man to lead this team forward.”
David Lynch was of a similar mindset, saying Slot has lost the majority of the fanbase:
“Tonight summed up why so few Liverpool fans believe Arne Slot can fix this.
“Yes, this side is short in attack and signings will help, but they won’t sort a midfield and defence that have been shambolic all season.
“So, without a change of head coach, how does it get better?”
Henry Winter feels the pressure on Slot has never been greater:
“Liverpool listless, so open in midfield, so hesitant in defence, so depleted in attack.
“Champions long shorn of their aura. Arne Slot under even more pressure. Some of his senior players put to shame by a teenager, Rio Ngumoha.
‘Interesting time to be Xabi Alonso.”
That said, speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Redknapp is still showing faith in the Liverpool boss:
“Liverpool are an educated fanbase, they don’t really turn on their managers – but you see it, you hear it, a lot of people are maybe going away from wanting him [Arne Slot] as the manager next year.
“I really struggle with that because when you’ve won the league the year before and decide you want to get rid of the manager the following year – that doesn’t sit well with me. I think he deserves another year after winning the Premier League title.
“But I expect better next year.”
Liverpool were pitiful at Villa Park, particularly at the back…
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Mail‘s Lewis Browning assessed a galling second-half performance by the Reds:
“A half to sum up Liverpool’s season, at least. I just cannot believe how far this Reds team has fallen.
“So many individuals are miles off it – and not just tonight. Van Dijk. Alisson. Salah, Gakpo. Mac Allister. Pretty much everyone.
“The attitude and body language was all wrong. Arguing with referees rather than doing their job, trying to get players sent off, play acting.
“It’s awful to watch.”
Dominic King of the Telegraph highlighted the difference in quality between the two sides:
“Three points separate Aston Villa and Liverpool after 37 games, but here was a night when the difference felt as big as three thousand miles.
“Villa are heading to their biggest occasion in a generation, brimming with confidence, the potential to crown a thrilling campaign with a first piece of silverware since 1996 and the safety net of a place in next season’s Champions League already secure.
“Liverpool, by contrast, are a shell of what they are supposed to be. They play in patches and the very fact that they can still qualify for the Champions League is a measure of how erratic the Premier League has been, rather than it being any great achievement.”
BBC Sport‘s Aadam Patel says a dreadful season is only getting worse:
“Where do you start with Liverpool? This is a side that is fragile and carved open at ease and they were ripped apart here.
“Defensively, their season goes from bad to worse. Slot’s men have conceded more than 50 goals in a 38-game Premier League campaign for the first time (52).
“And that is now one draw and seven defeats in eight away games against teams in the Premier League top nine this season.
“One point in those games is a shocking return for any team, never mind a side trying to defend a Premier League title.”
The Athletic‘s Andy Jones focused on Liverpool’s set-piece woes:
“As has been the case in so many situations over the campaign for Liverpool, especially at set pieces, Slot’s side were passive and reactive.
“Nobody began to close Rogers down until he had controlled the ball and lined up a shot, and Cody Gakpo’s efforts to make himself big proved in vain as the Villa man curled his finish home.
“It was the 19th time that Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season — and another occasion where, despite dominating a large portion of the first half, they conceded the game’s first goal.”
Sky Sports‘ Zinny Boswell described the reigning champions as “unrecognisable” compared to last season:
“It will be interesting to see how Arne Slot responds to this defeat. Liverpool scored late on to make the scoreline a little less embarassing but they were blown away by Villa in the second half.
“This will not help his case among the growing number of doubters among the Liverpool fanbase. Slot said he expects to be in charge next season yesterday. This result will only grow the number of supporters that don’t want him to stay.
“Liverpool were far too easy to play against. This team is unrecognisable from the one that was lifting the Premier League title around this time a year ago.”
Finally, Samuel Meade of the Mirror thinks a huge summer is needed at Anfield:
“For all they’ve recovered from their midseason slump, which saw them lose nine in 12, to look like they should secure a Champions League spot, actually watching Liverpool perform leaves you with plenty of questions.
“Defensively they were lacking – and were lucky to only ship three.
“The problems that were exposed in the Autumn very much still exist, and it will have to be a brutally honest summer if Liverpool are to come back stronger.”
Football – FA Premier League – Aston Villa FC v Liverpool FC
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister reacts to conceding his side's third goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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