Arne Slot is learning a hard truth at Liverpool: success buys time, but it doesn't always buy patience.
Just one year after delivering the Premier League title, the Dutchman finds himself under growing scrutiny following a turbulent campaign that has left supporters restless and the club's hierarchy facing difficult questions. The pressure ratcheted up after Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea—a result that drew audible frustration from the Anfield crowd. Ryan Gravenberch gave the Reds an early lead, but Wesley Fofana's equalizer shifted the momentum, and despite long spells of territorial dominance, Slot's side couldn't find a winner.
According to former England midfielder Joe Cole, Slot is operating under uniquely intense pressure—and the reason is simple: Xabi Alonso is available.
"He definitely deserves the chance to turn things around," Cole said on TNT Sports. "Jurgen Klopp was loved by the fans—I don't think there was a better connection between a manager and supporters in world football. The players seemed to love him too."
"But Slot won the league last season. That has to count for something. There are lots of circumstances around it, so he does deserve more time—but sometimes in football, you don't get what you deserve."
Cole then dropped the bombshell: "Xabi Alonso is available, and I keep coming back to that. Look at the quality of players here, the type of players here—the Liverpool board might think about moving him on. I don't think he deserves it, but it's a unique situation. Xabi was such a big player here. He's an impressive young manager, and you might not get another chance to get him."
That's the dilemma hanging over Liverpool. In most circumstances, a manager who delivered a league title in his first season would be afforded both trust and time. Yet Alonso's availability changes the calculation entirely. The former Liverpool midfielder has built a formidable managerial reputation with his tactical authority, calm leadership, and modern approach—qualities that make him an irresistible option for a club that prides itself on forward-thinking football.
For Slot, the clock is ticking. He's already proven he can win at the highest level—but at Anfield, the past only buys so much credit. With Alonso waiting in the wings, every result now carries extra weight.