Hamann raises alarm as pressure intensifies on Slot’s Liverpool tenure

Liverpool’s turbulent autumn has sharpened scrutiny around Arne Slot’s position, with former midfielder Dietmar Hamann warning that decisive action may already be under discussion at board level. The ex-Anfield Champions League winner believes the club could even have sounded out Jürgen Klopp about a sensational return, reflecting the scale of Liverpool’s recent downturn.

Hamann questions direction after heavy setbacks

Hamann’s assessment has drawn considerable attention given the gravity of the side’s recent form. Liverpool, last season’s Premier League champions, have slumped to nine defeats in 12 matches across all competitions. The latest blow came in a 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV, a performance marked by defensive fragility, disjointed structure and an alarming lack of authority in key moments.

That result followed consecutive three-goal losses to Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, forming a pattern that Hamann considers deeply troubling. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, he argued that Slot has “lost control of the team” and that individual decision-making – highlighted by costly lapses before PSV’s second goal – is symptomatic of wider disarray. In his view, Liverpool’s top-four prospects are already in jeopardy, and the complexity of the issues leaves little room for optimism without significant intervention.

Hamann’s warning that Slot’s position is “near” an endpoint represents one of the most severe external assessments since the Dutchman succeeded Klopp in the summer.

Slot’s authority tested as questions grow

Although internal backing remains publicly strong, the magnitude of Liverpool’s performances has ignited debate far beyond the usual match-to-match narratives. Slot has maintained that he feels secure in his role and continues to stress that solving the team’s on-field problems is his primary concern. After the PSV defeat, he spoke of the support he has received from above and insisted that pressure is an expected part of the job rather than a distraction.

Still, the manager acknowledged the need for improvement, admitting the current trajectory is unsustainable for a club of Liverpool’s stature. His message has been consistent: the emphasis is on corrective work rather than personal anxiety. But in elite football, trends this severe invariably prompt internal reviews, and Hamann’s public comments reflect a concern shared by many observers.

Klopp speculation resurfaces as uncertainty deepens

Few narratives ignite Liverpool’s fanbase quite like conjecture over Klopp’s future involvement with the club. The German’s recent remarks suggesting a return was “theoretically possible” have only heightened curiosity at a moment of instability. According to Hamann, conversations exploring future alternatives are almost certain to have taken place, and he would “assume they’ve spoken with Klopp” given the circumstances.

Whether such discussions have genuinely occurred remains unknown, but the sentiment underscores the scale of Slot’s challenge. Reuniting with Klopp would represent an extraordinary twist, one that supporters would inevitably debate with passion. Yet for any such scenario even to be entertained, a decision on Slot’s future would have to precede it.

What lies ahead for a shaken Liverpool?

Liverpool now stand at a junction that will define the remainder of their season. With momentum evaporating and confidence visibly shaken, Slot must oversee a rapid turnaround to halt speculation and restore coherence. Defeats of the recent magnitude are rare at Anfield, and the response in the coming weeks will likely influence how the hierarchy evaluate long-term leadership.

Hamann’s words carry weight not because of their provocation, but because they echo lingering anxieties: has this spell been a temporary collapse in form, or the start of a deeper decline? Liverpool’s next steps – and whether Slot can recalibrate a faltering squad – will determine whether this becomes a fleeting crisis or a watershed moment.