Jurgen Klopp verdict speaks volumes with Arne Slot and Liverpool in crisis
Jurgen Klopp opened up about Liverpool’s form and addressed criticism of current manager Arne Slot
Jurgen Klopp has already rushed to Arne Slot’s defence as Liverpool’s nightmare run continues. What some optimistically considered to be a blip in form has now descended into full crisis mode with the Reds’ 3-0 humiliation at home by Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The stunning defeat extended Liverpool’s woeful run this season to six defeats in their last seven matches across all competitions, having lost 3-0 to Manchester City prior to November’s international break.
The reigning Premier League champions’ form nosedived following the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace in late September, having previously scraped through the majority of their games this campaign to secure narrow victories.
With his side now in the bottom half of the table, Slot’s hopes of defending his Premier League crown are in tatters, while the Dutchman is now under severe pressure to change their fortunes and avoid what was unthinkable just two months ago – his potential dismissal.
But the comments of former manager Klopp at the start of the season, when Liverpool were beginning to show teething problems under Slot, albeit nowhere near on this level, called for calm and patience.
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The German urged fans to give his successor time as the team was going through a transition, something that is certainly visible now as Slot struggles to integrate £450million worth of summer signings effectively.
Reflecting on the initial transition a year ago, Klopp recently said on The Diary of a CEO podcast: “We had a lot of contact after that. He’s a super good guy. He got the best out of this team, and they became champions in an incredible manner.
“It’s not about Arne showing the world what he can do – it’s about getting the best out of the team. That’s exactly what he did.”
“Change always has an impact. And change always needs time.
“If he keeps the exact same team as last season – Darwin Nunez still there, Luis Diaz still there, for example – they start playing and have problems, [people say] ‘We need change.’
“Now the new guys are there, and they are really good players. It’s just not working out at the minute.”
Summing up his thoughts in three words, Klopp added: “Development needs time,” before saying: “Nobody can change that. People need time to adapt. It’s all good.”
Despite that assessment, there are things Slot simply must address immediately. Certain decisions, like persisting with record signing Alexander Isak up front in place of Hugo Ekitike, and the lack of midfield balance in the side, have irked supporters.
Defensive struggles in particular have haunted Liverpool since the start of the season, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk both jarringly out of form. Injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have resulted in Dominik Szoboszlai being played out of position at right back, while many cannot understand why the Dutchman refused to start Joe Gomez there.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
