Online Reporter
ARNE Slot’s sacking at Liverpool completes one of the most remarkable falls from grace of any English Premier League football title-winning manager.
Chelsea sacked three managers swiftly after the same success as Slot – but then owner Roman Abramovich’s unique demands made them a special case.
This is Liverpool, the supposed bastion of stability.
Carlo Ancelotti was sacked by Chelsea at the end of his second season in 2011 after winning the league and FA Cup double in his first.
Jose Mourinho’s second spell at Stamford Bridge ended when he was axed in December 2015, seven months after winning the title, as they lay one point above the relegation zone.
Antonio Conte went the same way in July 2018 after winning the title in his first season then FA Cup in his second, while Leicester City dismissed Claudio Ranieri in February 2017 as they were only one point off the relegation places nine months after their remarkable Premier League triumph.
But none, arguably, have been shown the door from an earlier position of such strength as Slot – sacked a year after winning the title with ease in his first season in succession to Jurgen Klopp, then having his squad bolstered by a staggering £450m spending spree.
So why did it unravel for the Dutch head coach who many Liverpool fans initially regarded as the calm, transitional Bob Paisley figure to predecessor Klopp’s firebrand, charismatic Bill Shankly?
Slot’s seamless transition from the iconic Klopp saw the German’s squad – with only the addition of £10m Juventus forward Federico Chiesa – win the title by 10 points with four games to spare, losing only twice until the job was done with victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
So was Slot purely the beneficiary of taking over ready-made title winners then simply steering them to glory?
This would be incredibly harsh on Slot and his achievements.
Slot calmed understandable post-Klopp anxiety with his measured approach, but made key alterations that took away some of the thrilling chaos that preceded him to turn the title race into a procession.
Liverpool’s main transfer target on Slot’s appointment was Real Sociedad’s Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, now at Arsenal.
With the deal almost done, Zubimendi decided to stay in La Liga, to the widespread angst of those Liverpool fans demanding big signings.
Slot blocked out the noise, turning to his countryman Ryan Gravenberch, something of an under-achiever under Klopp, to take the “number 6” role designated for Zubimendi.
It was a masterstroke, with Gravenberch outstanding as he provided the platform for a more organised Liverpool, not as exciting as under Klopp but cohesive, organised winners.
Slot also produced another key tactical move by using Luis Diaz, a gifted but occasionally erratic winger, as a striker.
It was not the Colombian’s natural position but it suited him perfectly as he made many match-winning contributions.
He also won over Liverpool’s biggest names who had under-pinned the Klopp glories of winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and two League Cups.
Mohamed Salah had arguably his finest season as Liverpool’s squad bought into Slot’s methods as one – although this relationship turned to open hostility, at least on the Egyptian’s side, surfacing in two public outbursts, one in an interview and another on social media, that undermined the head coach.
Salah’s form fell off a cliff in previously unimaginable fashion before he announced this would be his final season at Liverpool after a magnificent career.
Yes, Slot inherited what Klopp described as Liverpool 2.0, but it was also a squad that had finished nine points off the title when the German left. The Dutchman changed that.
Slot was bequeathed quality, but he put his own stamp on it to make Liverpool title winners. To suggest otherwise is to downgrade his work unfairly.
Liverpool’s 20th title, equalling Manchester United, was a cause of rejoicing from their global fanbase. The summer was meant to be a time of celebration basking in that success.
Instead, it was a summer of tragedy.
The title parade around the city was predictably joyous, with red plumes of smoke engulfing the famous Liver Birds at the Pier Head.
Joy turned to horror as 54-year-old Paul Doyle crashed his car into supporters on nearby Water Street during the celebrations, injuring more than 130 people.
Doyle was jailed for 21 years and six months after pleading guilty to 31 charges, admitted dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.
And then, on July 3, much-loved striker Diogo Jota, 28 was killed in a car crash, along with his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva, while driving in the Spanish province of Zamora.
Liverpool, as a club, city and fanbase, were heartbroken. Jota was hugely-popular as a team-mate and player, leaving those at Liverpool grief-stricken.
Jota’s song is sung in the 20th minute of every game – he wore number 20 – while Andrew Robertson referenced his close friend after Scotland qualified for the World Cup.
Only those at Liverpool know how much of an emotional toll this has taken as their grief has been mostly private, but it was a devastating occurrence and is still raw.
Most observers – including this one – believed Liverpool’s title was theirs to lose after one of the most spectacular summers of spending in Premier League history.
After keeping their power dry following Slot’s arrival, a strategy rewarded with the title, Liverpool embarked on a remarkable spree.
This included £125m British record signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, £116m Germany golden boy Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, another £70m striker in Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, as well as another £70m on full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong from Bournemouth and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.
Liverpool raked in more than £250m from sales of players such as striker Darwin Nunez to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich and Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.
Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid at the end of his contract while, of course, the whole club and its support was devastated by Jota’s death.
Alexander-Arnold and Diaz, outstanding at Bayern, have been sorely missed.
Liverpool’s outlay, however, did not strengthen their squad. It made it worse, which takes some doing.
It left the squad mediocre and unbalanced as expensive new acquisitions spluttered or suffered injuries, while their recruitment team failed to deliver one of their most significant targets. – BBC Sport
Bongani Ndlovu