1 week ago
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The heat is intensifying on Arne Slot following Liverpool's fifth loss in six matches on Saturday.
Former boss Jurgen Klopp's recent comments will now be ringing in the ears of supporters and Slot himself, as the German confessed when discussing a potential Anfield comeback: "It is possible."
Liverpool's emphatic 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League last week turned out to be a misleading glimpse of form, as the Reds were comfortably dismantled by Brentford in a 3-2 reverse on Saturday. The loss to the Bees follows setbacks against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Manchester United domestically, plus an away defeat to Galatasaray in Europe.
Slot and his squad must now confront the harsh reality that the reigning Premier League champions find themselves significantly adrift of the title challenge just nine fixtures into the fresh campaign.
While the season moves ahead, and Liverpool undoubtedly has sufficient time to bridge the seven-point deficit separating them from Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, even the most devoted fan would acknowledge that the Reds' issues appear as intricate as the Gunners currently seem formidable. The Dutch tactician retains considerable goodwill following his remarkable championship triumph in his debut campaign, and there's no suggestion Slot's role faces jeopardy.
Nevertheless, football moves rapidly and loyalties shift quickly, and Klopp's observations about potentially returning to Anfield have undeniably stirred controversy as the pressure continues to build. Klopp left Anfield following nine years in charge at the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign, having revealed his intention to depart in January 2024.
The Premier League and Champions League-winning manager had explained that he was "running out of energy."
When questioned about whether he might one day return to Liverpool on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast, Klopp responded: "I said I will never coach a different team in England, so that means, if [I did return], then it's Liverpool. So, yeah, theoretically it is possible."
Discussing what circumstances might tempt him back to the Anfield dugout, he added: "I don't even know exactly. I love what I do now. I don't miss coaching. I don't. I do coach, but it's just different, it's not players."
He continued: "I don't miss it. I don't miss standing in the rain for two-and-a-half or three hours. I also don't miss going to press conferences three times a week. Having 10 or 12 interviews a week, I don't miss that. I don't. I don't miss being in the dressing room. I coached around 1,080 games so I was in the dressing room very, very often.
"I don't want to die in the dressing room. It's these kind of things. I'm 58. From your perspective, that might be old, but from other perspectives, it's not that old. That means I could make a decision in a few years. I don't know. Do I have to make a decision today? I will not coach again, but thank God I do not have to do that. I can just see what the future brings."
Klopp's break from soccer proved brief, as he accepted the role of Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer at the start of 2025. He has also taken on a position with the German Football League, indicating he has no immediate plans to return to management.
Slot's remarks following the loss at the Gtech Community Stadium will have sent waves of anxiety through the Liverpool fanbase. The Reds fell victim to Michael Kayode's long throw during the opening period, contributing to an increasing tally of set-piece goals they have shipped this campaign.
Slot has admitted he remains nowhere near discovering a solution. "Quite a few things," he said in his post-match press conference when asked for the reasons behind his team's recent woes. "It is definitely that teams have a certain playing style against us; it is a very good strategy to play. We have not found an answer yet."
Liverpool's next fixture sees it host Palace in a Carabao Cup encounter at Anfield on Wednesday. The match will provide scant relief for Slot, given Oliver Glasner's Eagles have already defeated Liverpool in the Community Shield and at Selhurst Park in the Premier League this term.
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