Danny Murphy warns Liverpool must act decisively regarding Arne Slot, as his standing among fans has plummeted. Following a disappointing draw against Chelsea, many supporters have lost patience with the head coach.
Key points
Danny Murphy advises Liverpool to be decisive with Arne Slot
Arne Slot's reputation has declined significantly
Fans booed after Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Chelsea
Supporters' patience with Slot is running out
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Danny Murphy
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âHuge riskâ â Danny Murphy explains why Liverpool must be ruthless with Arne Slot decision
âHuge riskâ â Danny Murphy explains why Liverpool must be ruthless with Arne Slot decision
Danny Murphy has implored Liverpool to be ruthless with Arne Slot, believing that the head coach will find it near-impossible to win over his detractors among the fan base.
The Dutchmanâs reputation has nosedived amid a dreadful second season at Anfield, and the chorus of boos at the final whistle in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea last weekend made it clear that the patience of many supporters has run out.
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Xabi Alonso continues to be touted as a potential successor to the 47-year-old, but itâs been reliably reported that FSG are prepared to stick with the current boss and trust in him to improve the clubâs fortunes next term.
Murphy: Liverpool must be ruthless with Slot
Murphy believes that this summer is the right time for Liverpool to drop the axe on Slot and start afresh, rather than blindly keeping faith in him and wasting the first few months of next season.
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âI just donât see a situation, irrelevant of transfer ins and outs â and there are going to be a lot in the summer â where the fans get back to being 100% behind Slot.
âFor that to happen he will have to go on a run like he did in the first season, where he basically won every game. He then has to play in a certain way that Liverpool fans expect.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
âI think Slotâs time is probably up. The main reason for saying this is not a dislike of him. I think heâs a good guy and a very bright coach, but the reality is Liverpoolâs fanbase is as powerful as any out there, for all sorts of reasons.
âWe know how strong they are in fighting the cause over tickets and other issues, not just the manager. I donât remember a time when the fans turned on a manager then turned it back around.â
Murphy has urged Liverpool to act now rather than gambling on Slot to instigate a quick turnaorund next term, saying:Â âWhat youâre doing then is taking the huge risk of banking on starting next season amazingly well, with everything going brilliantly.
âI think thatâs unlikely, especially with the changes that are going to happen, so youâre then behind âthe 8 ballâ because you might have to take a decision when everyone else is kicking on. I think we are looking at an inevitable departure whether it is now or a few months into the season.â
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
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Sticking with Slot would risk repeating Rodgers mistake
The obvious precedent is Brendan Rodgers 11 years ago, when Liverpool ended the 2014/15 season dismally amid external calls for the manager to be sacked, only to hold onto him and make a slow start to the following campaign before dispensing with him in October and hiring Jurgen Klopp.
The danger is that, by sticking with Slot, FSG risk a repeat of that scenario over the next few months and are left scrambling to appoint a successor in the midst of a season rather than at the end of one.
As Murphy also pointed out when speaking to BBC Sport, hiring Xabi Alonso now would galvanise the fan base and change the mood around Anfield, giving everyone a fresh start and ensuring that we go into pre-season with excitement rather than trepidation.
Weâll always be grateful to Slot for delivering the Premier League title last year, and itâs important to stay on the right side of the dividing line between constructive criticism of his work and unwarranted personal abuse.
However, weâd agree with the BBC pundit that making a clean break at the end of this campaign would seem to be in Liverpoolâs best interests and, provided that the right successor is appointed, would generate much more optimism going into the summer.
