Liverpool star 'invisible' thanks to Arne Slot tactics as scathing verdict reached

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Arne Slot is coming under attack back in his homeland as the Liverpool boss comes under increasing pressure, with one pundit not impressed with his tactics against PSG

Arne Slot has been criticized for his tactics in Liverpool's defeat to PSG(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot is coming under considerable pressure back in his homeland, with one Dutch pundit suggesting the Liverpool boss is “slowly losing control” of his side.

The heat is rising on Slot as the Reds’ poor form continues after the international break. Having been thrashed by Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend, Liverpool is now on the verge of going out of the Champions League after falling to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of its quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain.

It could have been much worse for the Reds, with the defending European champions having spurned opportunities to increase their advantage ahead of visiting Anfield next week.

The performance and result in the French capital have done nothing to ease the pressure on Slot. Liverpool fans increasingly look to be losing patience with the 47-year-old, with Xabi Alonso’s name having been sung as a large section left last weekend’s defeat at City early.

And it’s not just on Merseyside where Slot is coming under a lot of scrutiny, with the opinion back home in the Netherlands starting to turn as well.

Writing for De Telegraaf, former Dutch international Wim Kieft was not at all impressed with Slot’s tactics against PSG, and his use of one of his fellow countrymen in particular. “Arne Slot gives the idea that he is slowly losing control at Liverpool,” Kieft said.

Arne Slot has been criticized for the way in which he used Jeremie Frimpong against PSG(Image: Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

“As you often see with trainers under pressure, he went against Paris Saint-Germain to play very differently. He completely adapted his tactics and chose some other players.

“For example, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah started on the bench and the latter was replaced by Jeremie Frimpong. Before halftime, the Dutch international had some nice moments, but in the second half he was invisible in the system with five defenders.

“The tactics chosen by Slot did not help Liverpool. It does not fit the team and was a burden rather than a solution. The result and performance were disconcerting.

“Liverpool proved that with five defenders you have it not necessarily better for each other defensively. There was hardly any defending while there was so much to defend.”

The Reds will have a mountain to climb if they are to overturn the deficit against PSG next week — although Kieft isn’t at all confident about their chances.

“On paper, Liverpool can still straighten the 2-0 deficit at Anfield. However, all signals are on red and it is highly unlikely that there will be a very different Liverpool on Tuesday than in Paris.

“For the second consecutive season, Slot is then knocked out by PSG. A year ago, Liverpool were still equal to the French, but there is no question of that this time. Luis Enrique has more quality at his disposal and the magic of Anfield does not change that.”