I've met Arne Slot - he doesn’t have what it takes to be Liverpool manager

By Wayne Rooney | Liverpool.com | Published: Recent

Arne Slot's remarkable debut season at Liverpool in 2024-25, where he clinched the Premier League title with four games to spare and reached the League Cup final, masked deeper concerns about his long-term suitability. Now, in his second campaign, those flaws are glaringly exposed as Liverpool languish in sixth place, 17 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, having scored 20 fewer league goals than last year.[1][2][3][4]

Slot, the Dutch tactician who succeeded Jürgen Klopp after three trophy-laden years at Feyenoord—including the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup—promised continuity with an attacking flair. His maiden Reds tenure was historic: first Dutch manager to win the Premier League, LMA Manager of the Year, a 2-0 Champions League upset over Real Madrid, and records like winning the first six away games and 11 of 12 season openers. Yet, his only 2024 loss—to Nottingham Forest—hinted at vulnerabilities.[1][2]

This season's woes stem from inconsistent results and attacking drought. The £65.5m sale of Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich, despite Slot admitting the miss of his quality, exemplifies Liverpool's sustainable model under FSG—profiting on a 28-year-old amid rare top-six sales. New signing Ekitiké has shone with 15 goals, linking brilliantly with Florian Wirtz, but it's not enough to salvage a Champions League push.[3]

Sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG face an agonising summer call. Slot's contract runs to 2027, but with no compensation needed for targets like Xabi Alonso (sacked by Real Madrid) or Ruben Amorim—who nearly got the job pre-Slot—change looms. Liverpool fight merely to requalify for Europe, prompting questions: Does Slot have Klopp's charisma or adaptability? I've met him—his meticulous style lacks the intangible edge for Anfield's pressure cooker. Time's up.[4]

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