When Jurgen Klopp bid farewell to Anfield in 2024, Liverpool faced a crossroads. The legendary German had set an impossibly high bar, and the decision to replace him with Arne Slot raised more than a few eyebrows among the Kop faithful. But Slot silenced the doubters in spectacular fashion, clinching the Premier League title in his debut season.
Fast forward 12 months, and the narrative has shifted dramatically. The Reds now find themselves languishing in 4th place, eliminated from all cup competitions, and facing a season that can only be described as a title defense gone wrong. This despite a jaw-dropping £450m summer spending spree that brought in stars like Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike.
With just three games remaining, the pressure is mounting. Sections of the fanbase are voicing their frustration, and the club faces a pivotal decision: stick with Slot or start over? Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen, who knows Slot personally, has a clear message for the Liverpool hierarchy.
"I would stick with him," Meulensteen told Anfield Index. "I know him personally really well, and he is a really good coach. He's got a good view of things, but he has to buy the right pegs to put in the right holes."
It's a fair point. Liverpool's marquee signings have struggled to find their feet. £125m man Alexander Isak has been sidelined by injuries, while Florian Wirtz continues to search for consistency despite flashes of brilliance. Hugo Ekitike emerged as the brightest spark with 11 Premier League goals, only to suffer a devastating ruptured Achilles that could keep him out for nine months.
The full-back situation hasn't helped either. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have both struggled to adapt to Slot's system, and young defender Giovanni Leoni's Liverpool career lasted just 70 minutes before a ruptured ACL sidelined him.
It feels surreal to be talking about Slot's future just 12 months after he delivered the title. But as Meulensteen notes, if the club does stick by him, the pressure will be immense from day one next season. "It needs to click straight away," he warned. For Liverpool and Slot, the clock is already ticking.