Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp admits that how Arne Slot had his side set up this past season wasn’t pleasing the supporters. ” I think it was just his style of play that happened this year wasn’t really appealing to the fans.”
There were constant posts from Kopites on social media venting their frustrations over how boring and pragmatic the Reds had become this season in comparison to Jurgen Klopp’s days at the club, or even the Dutchman’s first season, where they dominated possession in style, playing exciting football over the course of the campaign.
The defensive approach went up a notch this year, therefore limiting their attacking chances, which saw them draw and lose many more games as they failed to defend their Premier League title. Not everything had directly been in Slot’s hands this time around, though, as whistles and booes were becoming far too regular of an occurrence at Anfield, it perhaps played a part in the board’s decision come their season review.
Redknapp reaction to Liverpool sacking Slot
As the season ground to a halt, one of the major talk points within the fanbase was Mohamed Salah’s social media statement, which took a swipe at the head coach due to his tactical setup. The former captain claimed that it didn’t help, as well as other players possibly being involved, but they must fully believe their decision to get back to the top, as he spoke with Sky Sports.
“Obviously, Mohamed Salah’s quotes at the end of the season weren’t ideal for him either. I thought they were poor, and obviously that reflects on the manager, and all of a sudden there is a bit of a snowball effect. It has caught me by surprise, but I think what Liverpool have to do is trust what Richard Hughes and the owners have decided.
“I think players will have played a big part in this as well, a bit of player power, speaking to the owners, speaking to the people in charge, and they have not really enjoyed the football, feeling that Arne Slot isn’t the guy to take them forward, but some of them have their own motives at heart, not always thinking what’s best for the team.”
While this season has been far from successful, his first 12 months in England were symbolic as they won their 20th league title, a major success for any new manager moving to the Premier League. Redknapp wanted to show his appreciation for the Dutchman in the difficult situation he’s had to navigate.
“He’s done a great job. The fact that he won the Premier League was an incredible achievement. The way they played, they were fantastic. This year, there were a lot of circumstances that made it really difficult to coach that team, so he will probably feel hard done by, but this is football.”
Redknapp discusses Slot successor
Speculation regarding the position at Liverpool points toward former Bournemouth boss, Andoni Iraola, replacing Slot in the dugout. The Spanish manager has enjoyed his time at the Vitality Stadium, having secured European football for the first time in the Cherries’ history.
Redknapp can’t speak highly enough regarding the 43-year-old and the work he’s achieved in the Premier League, making him the ‘right man’ to take the position at Anfield.
“I absolutely love the man, what he’s done at Bournemouth and the job that he’s done. I never felt that what Eddie Howe did could be eclipsed, but he’s certainly done that. The style of football has been amazing, they play high pressure, they get after teams, exactly what Liverpool fans want.”
One name that could have been in the hat to move to Merseyside is former midfielder Xabi Alonso, though he took the Chelsea managerial role. Redknapp believes there is something the club are not sharing.
“For whatever reason, Liverpool didn’t feel he [Xabi Alonso] was the right man; that’s how I see that situation. If he was the one to take on the Liverpool manager job, they would have got him.”
Jamie Redknapp raises a valid and deeply concerning point regarding the influence of “player power.” When key figures like Mohamed Salah are taking public swipes at the manager’s tactical setup on social media, the writing is on the wall.
While the squad must take a long look in the mirror for their own massive dip in performances this season, a manager can rarely survive when he loses both the dressing room and the terraces simultaneously.
Slot gave us a title-winning high we will never forget, but his fatal tactical stubbornness became his undoing. Embracing a fresh, high-energy era under Iraola is precisely the reset button Anfield needs to press to get back to the pinnacle of English football.
