Slot's Steep Climb: Why Anfield Might Not Be So Patient

Jamie Carragher isn't wrong. The idea that Arne Slot is walking into an easy gig at Liverpool is a fantasy, and frankly, a disrespectful one to the legacy he's following. Replacing Jürgen Klopp, a man who delivered a Champions League trophy in 2019 and the club's first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020, was always going to be the toughest job in European football this summer. But the "difficult" part Carragher mentioned? That's less about Klopp's shadow and more about how the 2023-24 season ended.

Liverpool didn't just stumble; they tripped over their own feet and face-planted in the final stretch. After beating Chelsea 1-0 to win the Carabao Cup on February 25th, the Reds were flying high. They were top of the Premier League, still in the FA Cup, and cruising in the Europa League. Then came the collapse. They lost 4-3 to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final on March 17th, a game they led twice. Just a few weeks later, Atalanta hammered them 3-0 at Anfield in the Europa League quarter-final first leg on April 11th, effectively ending their European dream. Domestically, their title challenge evaporated with a brutal 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace on April 14th, followed by a meek 2-0 defeat at Everton in the Merseyside derby on April 24th. From March 17th to the end of the season, Liverpool managed just four wins in ten league games. That’s not a blip; that’s a capitulation.

Thing is, fans aren't stupid. They saw the squad look gassed, the tactics stale, and the performances drop off a cliff. The sentiment around Klopp's departure shifted from mournful reverence to a quiet acceptance that maybe, just maybe, it was time. This isn't to diminish Klopp's incredible impact, but the final two months showed a team that needed a serious jolt. Slot inherits a team that finished third, nine points behind eventual champions Manchester City, and utterly limped across the finish line. That’s not a strong hand to be dealt.

Here's my hot take: the goodwill period for Slot will be shorter than any Liverpool manager in recent memory. If Liverpool isn't consistently winning, and winning well, by October, the murmurs will start. The Kop has a long memory, and while they adore Klopp, they also demand success. They’ve seen what a truly elite Liverpool looks like, and anything less will feel like a step backward, regardless of who is in charge. Slot needs to hit the ground running, probably bringing in a couple of significant new faces to inject some energy and quality, especially in midfield. The squad looked tired by April, and while injuries played a part, the depth wasn't there when it counted.

Slot’s first real test will be the preseason, not just for results, but for showing a clear tactical identity. The fanbase wants to see pressing, intensity, and attacking football. If he delivers anything less, Carragher’s prediction of a "difficult" road will feel like an understatement.

I predict Liverpool will finish second in the Premier League next season, but only after a significant summer spend and a far more consistent run of form than they showed in the spring of 2024.