Arne Slot - Head Coach

[Magnus]

@Mascot

I think he’s done that. He has acknowledged our poor form, he has expressed the fact that it needs to be better.

I see him having agreed to spend completely obscene amounts of money on a very few players and then bitching about City’s superior reserves, as an excuse and comparison. I didn’t like really that.

Imo, we should be very careful to shield him from criticism just because of his first season. Not everything he has said in these last few weeks has been particularly dignified.

I said last season that his utter unwillingness to match our reserves in the first team, was difficult, no almost impossible, to criticise since he won the title, but I also said it really worried me, since the logical consequence would be that unlike under Klopp, we would be far less likely to find new “gems” that could be matched to a level where they could come into the first team.
Now that everything is going dreafully wrong, this is a big target painted on Arne’s head. He is responsible after all.When his first choice players fail, not exactly much to swap them with that are not utterly rusty.

I find all of this very depressing and see a trajectory that I not only don’t like, but I also see no good solutions, since Arne has not matched our second and third string players to a particular degree. So only solution is for his First Team to get in shape and form. I hope for the best, but I don’t really have much faith now. I know the lack of faith is an admission that paints a target on my head, but I am trying to use my head, be realistic and not just live on hope.

Crossing fingers and toes like everyone else, but forgive me, I am now skeptical.

Please note: As I have said many times, not calling for him to be sacked, at all, I hopes he turns it around. He might. I am just voicing skepticism and disappointment.

Ps. to continue the tangent, the reserves getting matching, which could give me more hope, was the primary reason why I said that I thought it was important and extremely positive to advance in the cup; which we of course did not.

[TheSweetSilverSong]

I agree with Mascot that everything Slot says is perceived in the context of our results, and will largely be found wrong in what he says. The same things, if we were top or up there, and with slightly better results, would have been taken more calmly.

[Magnus]

If you included form and how well we played and not just results, I would have agreed completely. Because our form before our current loss-train, was very worrisome, I think (despite us winning the games).

But it’s just opinion

[The-AllMightyReds]

Mate, with respect, there’s little to no point overanalysising this. Everyone knew the score when the team sheet was announced. What ambition did you want? Look at the bench. It was a game we didn’t care to throw away. Winning yesterday with whatever team would’ve solved absolutely nothing and all this “taking confidence into the next game” is nonsence too as we saw what happened after Frankfurt, the only goal is getting back on track in the league.

[TheSweetSilverSong]

@Magnus

If you included form and how well we played and not just results, I would have agreed completely.

The thing is that, although we played mostly shit, regardless of the result, the good part tends to be erased from memory (full 90’ outplaying Arsenal, the good spells in many games, however short), and the nearly great stuff (thinking of that awesome Wirtz key pass that last season’s Salah would have finished) are not tallied to what’s promising or convincing (because it’s overshadowed by the disappointing stuff, and that’s natural). Thing is, I do agree with Slot that it’s fine margins, and no need to say again what I said in a different post elsewhere about that.
I do agree it’s worrisome, and I get the sense everybody does. No one is downplaying the bad form we’re in, not Slot, not the players, not anyone here.

[RedOverTheWater]

I think the first team players being there was a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Yes, they would have heard the negativity, but I’m sure they were well aware of it already, before last night. But if they weren’t at the game it would have been used as a stick to beat them with - not supportive of the under studies, etc.

[Dorauno]

I think that the flashes of brilliance that could have turned the games were ignored because they are just ‘flashes’. At the same time we are much more prone to shipping 2-3 goals ourselves. The fine margins here also apply to all of our opponents. And this is the type of play and ‘control’ for a mid table PL team, or the Frankfurt type of team, not a team defending its European qualification (I won’t bother saying ‘defending champion title’ anymore). We aren’t even looking like a well drilled team, which never happened under Klopp.

The 400 million outlay and the wage bill might actually cause Slot to lose his job if these performances continue. I don’t think FSG care about the pressers or voices from the fans when such money is involved.

[RedOverTheWater]

Just want to say this again: we are only a quarter of the way into the season. To no one in particular, but to everyone in general, have some patience!

Of course we have some issues to solve, but let’s not lose perspective. Slot should not be in any danger. Nowhere near. Talk of the next 2-3 games being crucial for his ongoing tenure just adds unnecessary pressure.

It does not need to be like that.

He has a very talented bunch at his disposal. To date, for various reasons, he hasn’t been able to get it all going. A new thing will emerge. Right now we have a little transition period.

I would love it if the entire fanbase could circle the wagons and support the manager. Yes, there usually comes a time when that is not possible. But now? Nah, come on!

Consider Slot’s tenure. In his first season he won the league. Pretty special, since we’ve only managed to do it twice since 1989-90.

Then we made a lot of moves in summer on some highly rated attacking talent. It hasn’t all clicked yet, but there is more to come as people get fit and up to speed with the league, and what the manager wants.

Again, we are only a quarter of the way into Slot’s second season.

So here is plea to my fellow reds:

Let’s back him. Let’s have a bit of patience. And then see what happens.

If by the end of the season we are mid table or something like that, and if we haven’t seen any pattern of play emerge that would give it some hope, fine, his job would rightly be under threat at that point.

But not now. Not now my fellow reds.

Peace.

[Mascot]

@RedOverTheWater

Talk of the next 2-3 games being crucial for his ongoing tenure just adds unnecessary pressure.

As as managers start being told they have a couple of games to save their job, they are cooked. Even if they win them, they are going to lose at some point.

I think it’s academic, because I don’t think there is a chance that Slot is sacked this season, so all that’s happening with calls for his head is that posters are going to get frustrated.

[JibJab]

@RedOverTheWater

I think the first team players being there was a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Yes, they would have heard the negativity, but I’m sure they were well aware of it already, before last night. But if they weren’t at the game it would have been used as a stick to beat them with - not supportive of the under studies, etc.

There’s definitely truth in what you say. I’m sure there would have been some folks who reacted that way if they weren’t there.

All I can say that I wouldn’t have been one of them because I would have understood that there was little to be gained by watching that team be put to the sword last night. I would have been happier to know that they were working at Kirkby - or hell, even spending time time together to lift their collective spirits.

But I get your point, especially when considering the supporters who traveled to Anfield last night to watch that and especially those who stayed to the end singing YNWA. It is our club’s anthem, after all.

[RER]

I appreciate what you are trying to say but come Christmas if there isn’t a drastic improvement and it keeps going south we may only have the FA cup left to play for and thats nothing short of disastrous.

[LFCELCE]

There is a video on youtube from The Athletic FC titled “Why do Liverpool keep losing games?”, which has some clear points on things we’ve been discussiong. Didn’t see it referenced yet, apologies if so (and if the source is crap, I’m not very familiar with them); link is Why do Liverpool keep losing games?, if posted incorrectly, please add the right way or mods delete my post! Describes why the long ball is working against us and our too forward positioning, how we are missing the breadth of passing from Trent, why Wirtz is struggling with impact, how Mo is being impacted by the changes, etc. I found it enlightening and if accurate, could point out some pretty obvious adjustments. Has fairly succinct descriptions but likely all things you tactic-philes already know! YNWA

[Livvy]

Well…

I guess we probably deserved that.

[Zoran]

You always want to win whatever the team is. The players gave their best shot from what I saw, but how we set up didn’t give us a great chance. Ambition that is only normal at a club like Livepool. I will never support throwing games away of any sort. And of course winning would’ve helped, there is absolutely no denying that. We’re losing games left, right and centre. That has to stop as soon as possible. Regardless of the competition.

[mattyhurst]

We’ve probably matched the periods of good play with the opposition, Brentford and Palace not withstanding. It’s why Brentford did knock my hopes a bit, Man Utd we should have won and then Frankfurt, another like that and I might have thought we are showing signs but I felt it was the worst performance we’ve seen.

[jaffod]

@aussielad

For those in the North West and those that are match going fans, what is the feeling in the stands?

I ask this, as whilst you can hear chatter online about any and every issue, FSG tend to hold the opinion of the match going fans in a lot higher esteem than those fans posting online. A classic example of this was when they first took over and backed Roy as the manager, and very quickly fans were venting frustration at the performances and calling for him to be sacked, but it wasn’t until the fans inside Anfield started to vocally express their opinions in chanting Kenny’s name during matches in December/January that the board acted

There is no audible discontent at all. Last night was a strange one because I imagine a huge number of regulars either sold their ticket on or didn’t bother getting one in the first place. Very few regulars around me in the Upper SKD.
We actually held our own pretty well until the 40th minute and then the wheels came off. By the time the 2nd half kicked off I think everyone could pretty much see it for what it was and it was basically damage limitation.
The ground started emptying out with about 20 minutes left but again it was all very civilized.
That said there is definately an air of discontent in the pubs and I believe on the radio phone-ins. It hasn’t permeated to inside the stadium yet but it will if things don’t improve quickly.

[TheSweetSilverSong]

@mattyhurst

I felt it was the worst performance we’ve seen.

Agreed, it was.

[Limiescouse]

@LFCELCE

There is a video on youtube from The Athletic FC titled “Why do Liverpool keep losing games?”, which has some clear points on things we’ve been discussiong. Didn’t see it referenced yet, apologies if so (and if the source is crap, I’m not very familiar with them); link is Why do Liverpool keep losing games?, if posted incorrectly, please add the right way or mods delete my post! Describes why the long ball is working against us and our too forward positioning, how we are missing the breadth of passing from Trent, why Wirtz is struggling with impact, how Mo is being impacted by the changes, etc. I found it enlightening and if accurate, could point out some pretty obvious adjustments. Has fairly succinct descriptions but likely all things you tactic-philes already know! YNWA

It’s a good piece. I think it illustrates that there is no one thing that is off and so no one thing that will fix it. Interestingly, with the focus on lack of progressive passing out of the back with the FB changes it glossed over the connected piece that has been a focus on here in recent weeks - that change at FB has changed the context for Grav and brought his relative underwhelming passing into greater focus. That is not meant as a knock on Grav but highlights the importance of complimentary pieces

[Nobluff]

@JibJab

I am a bit tired of Arne talking about fine margins. This is the Premier League. With limited exceptions, matches are always down to fine margins.

Yes, it is true that we could have won all five of these losses with some slightly better luck. But we could have also lost by larger margins with slightly better luck for the opponent.

Exactly, and someone should remind him that “fine margins” allowed us to win 5 pl games in a row.

[El-Cuchillero]

Told you all we should’ve hired El Cholo.