Exclusive: Former Liverpool Star Defends Arne Slot After Recent Criticism

It has been a fairly disastrous season for Liverpool, with the defence of their Premier League title unravelling in front of us. 

The Reds are currently sat 5th in the Premier League, but are on the verge of securing their place in the Champions League next season.

With 17 defeats across all competitions, pressure has been rising massively on head coach Arne Slot, despite winning the title in his debut season.

The Reds are set to go trophyless for the third time in eight years, having already being knocked out of all cup competitions.

However, reports over recent days have claimed that Slot retains the full backing of the Liverpool hierarchy and will be in the Anfield dugout next season.

Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel, spoke exclusively to Anfield Index courtesy of Champions League odds, and shared his thoughts on the Dutchman’s future.

Babbel: “He’s a Top Manager!”

When asked about his evaluation of Slot’s performance this season, Babbel believes that his track record speaks for itself.

“He won the league with Feyenoord and he won the league with Liverpool, and that is in leagues where you are competing against Ajax, PSV and Man City and Arsenal,” said Babbel, “So he is clearly a top manager!”

However, Babbel was also keen to point out the areas that Slot has struggled with this season.

“But this season he has struggled,” continued Babbel, “He has made some strange decisions and played some strange lineups.”

Perhaps one of the biggest criticisms has been how Slot has used Liverpool’s newest signings. The club spent a record-breaking £400m on incomings last summer.

Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni all joined the club, but Slot is yet to to get the best out of any of those players.

Looking Ahead

As it stands, Liverpool are on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League, which gives them a huge boost heading into the summer transfer window.

There is a lot of change needed, but the hierarchy clearly believe Slot is the one to steer the club back into the right direction.

Fans may be frustrated, but as Babbel points out, Slot is clearly a solid head coach and perhaps does deserve a second chance in the dugout. But for now, the jury is still out…