Dutch media fume at Arne Slot firing with 3 Liverpool players blamed instead
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesArne SlotLiverpool parted ways with Arne Slot this weekend, with the Dutch media not impressed by the decision to get rid of the former Feyenoord boss two years into his time at AnfieldArne Slot on the bench before Aston Villa vs Liverpool.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Some Dutch media outlets have accused Liverpool of betraying its principles following the dismissal of Arne Slot this weekend, a year on from lifting the Premier League title.The 47-year-old was fired following an end-of-season review. Slot lost his job after a dismal title defense that saw Liverpool finish fifth and secure Champions League qualification only on the season's final day.Andoni Iraola is the early favorite to assume control following his exit from Bournemouth, but the issues within the Liverpool roster — which is lacking in quality in some areas and depth in others — will still need to be addressed.While numerous Liverpool fans back the choice to sever ties with Slot, the Dutch press have responded with greater criticism.
De Telegraaf charged the Reds with "throwing their own culture overboard," suggesting they have become a "hire and fire" club.Meanwhile, Voetbal International characterized it as a "premature end to a period that began with so much promise." It recognized that while Slot had achieved legendary status during his first campaign, his second year suffered from worrying inconsistency.AD highlighted the Reds' $600 million (£450 million) summer transfer splurge and how "major disappointments" like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz "barely delivered and proved to be a costly miscalculation in hindsight."Arne Slot (left) was the first choice for Liverpool and their sporting director Richard Hughes but two years after his appointment, the title-winning boss is now out of work(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)And De Volkskrant suggested Slot's "biggest problem" was Mohamed Salah, who aimed several criticisms at the manager during the season. They emphasized Salah's "frontal attack" after the draw at Leeds, noting that his "authority had been undermined."Sympathy was also conveyed regarding the difficult circumstances Slot encountered heading into what proved to be his final season at the club.It is understood that Liverpool took the decision to fire Slot with reluctance, but the feeling is that the squad requires further evolution towards a more aggressive, front-foot, high-intensity style of football.This mirrors sentiments Salah voiced in a social media post earlier this month, in which he advocated for a return to the "heavy metal" style played under Jurgen Klopp.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.While there were mitigations for what went wrong this season, it has been determined that a fresh face in the dugout is the best course of action."That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying," Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group said in a statement on Saturday."We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool's 20th league title."That accomplishment — made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge — was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCArne Slot