Liverpool supporters were in a state of shock when Jürgen Klopp sat down in front of the microphone and said he would retire after the 2023/24 season, i.e. before the end of his contract. Several players later also stated that they were in a state of shock when Mester Klopp had announced he was retiring. Although the farewell season was never a title farewell, Arne Slot came to Liverpool as the coach who would replace one of the greatest coaches in club history. The answer Slot gave was a Premier League title in his debut season, something Klopp managed only once during the 2015 period. Slot gave Klopp some of the credit, but no one should underestimate Slot’s sensational success in his first season in the world’s toughest league. Now supporters call the same man “a clown”.
How can this happen? How can their own supporters who haven’t won the Premier League since 2019/20 bombard their coach with criticism, just six months after the Premier League trophy was bussed through the streets of Liverpool? The absurd thing is that it is a comment from Slot that has made Liverpool supporters furious.
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After the 0-3 draw at Anfield against Nottingham Forrest at the weekend and before the PSV game on Wednesday, Arne Slot stated: “The Forest defeat gave us a bit of a smack in the face.” For the Dutch Liverpool manager, probably a completely natural description, but for supporters clearly a provocation.
Tuesday’s “slap in the face” caused Liverpool supporters to throw themselves at the keyboard. Here is a selection:
“What about the 5 losses before that?”
“Oh dear God…. The other losses had no effect on you? 😭😭😭😭.»
“If it took a 3-0 defeat at home to Forest to give you a slap in the face, you’re not paying attention. The warning signs have been there for months. This should have been obvious a long time ago.”
“We’ve had so many ‘slaps in the face’ lately that we have to be full of punches now…”
“Can he please shut up and focus on the PSV game?”
“It felt like a real slap in the face for me, along with the other losses.”
“Losing to Man United at home, wasn’t it? The standards are broken in this club with this clown in charge.”
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We ask how it is possible for a Liverpool supporter to go completely off the rails, six months after Arne Slot lifted Liverpool from Klopp’s 3rd place and 17 points behind City, to win the Premier League by 10 points. A slow start to the season in the Premier League does not justify the reactions.
