Frustration Mounts at Anfield: Slot’s Liverpool Struggles

In fairness to Head Coach Slot, he recognized the frustration of home fans following the 1-1 draw with Burnley, asserting that this sentiment was shared by both himself and his players.

“We must credit them for their defensive efforts,” the Dutchman told reporters during his post-match press conference. “They cleared balls off the line and executed the tactics you would expect from a Burnley manager. Their players did everything to prevent us from scoring. However, if we, as Liverpool, are no longer disappointed by a draw at home against Burnley, then something is fundamentally wrong.”

Unfortunately, this disappointment has become evident over time. Liverpool currently sits fourth in the Premier League, fortunate to hold this position with only five wins in their last 17 matches. This grim run of form has drawn comparisons to Roy Hodgson’s infamous tenure, not only due to the meager points tally of 21 from a possible 51 but also because of the stagnant style of play that is testing the patience of supporters.

As former midfielder Jan Molby noted in his latest column, “I find myself asking the same question each week: What is the next step? What is being built here? This situation is undoubtedly a hangover from the Jurgen Klopp era. For nearly a decade, intensity and chaos defined our identity. Even on poor days, we were engaging to watch. Now, however, boredom has crept in, a sentiment I never thought I would associate with Liverpool matches. I’ve often found myself drifting during games, which speaks volumes.”

Despite the prevailing frustration, some moments of excitement were evident during Saturday’s match. Florian Wirtz, for instance, displayed exceptional skill and has silenced early critics following a slow start to his Anfield career. His emphatic strike to open the scoring exemplified his growing confidence. Wirtz, who had previously hesitated to shoot, has now netted four goals in his last six matches across all competitions, marking his increasing contribution to Liverpool’s attacking play, evidenced by his 60 passes into the final third against Burnley. It was unfortunate that Cody Gakpo failed to convert an excellent chance set up by Wirtz’s quick thinking and footwork in a crowded penalty area.

“The connections with my teammates have improved greatly, allowing us to understand each other better on the pitch,” the German international remarked. “This boosts my confidence and makes playing more enjoyable. I feel good on the pitch,” which is evident not only in his performance but also in his overall demeanor, suggesting the pressure of his transfer fee has finally eased.

Wirtz’s fellow summer signings, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, also demonstrated their potential for the first time this season when positioned on either side of the back four. The offensively-minded full-backs created a remarkable 10 chances collectively, and it was encouraging to see Kerkez finally exhibiting the dynamism that convinced Liverpool to acquire him from Bournemouth last summer, particularly after his strong performance against Bukayo Saka in last week’s goalless draw against Arsenal.

However, while individual players are showing improvement, Slot’s team as a whole clearly is not. After Liverpool’s fourth consecutive Premier League draw, Slot contended that the recent results do not accurately reflect “the development of the team.” Yet the fans remain unconvinced.

There was a general agreement that Slot needed to tighten the defense, especially away from home, after experiencing nine defeats in 12 matches across all competitions between late September and late November. However, Liverpool has dropped points at Anfield against all newly-promoted teams in the last six weeks, managing only a narrow victory against bottom-placed Wolves.

Given these circumstances, it was unsurprising that Liverpool allowed Burnley to secure a draw at Anfield on Saturday. The outcome mirrored Liverpool’s predictable style of play, with Gakpo consistently cutting inside to shoot with his right foot.

There was also a sense of inevitability regarding Burnley’s equalizer, as Liverpool’s players become increasingly nervous as games progress, creating a cycle of insecurity among the supporters. Consequently, matches have shifted from being enjoyed to merely endured, and this situation cannot persist indefinitely.

Outside the often toxic realm of social media, Liverpool fans do not wish to see Slot dismissed. They still hope for his success, as their affection for the Dutchman stems from both last season’s title triumph and the dignified manner he managed a challenging summer for the club.

There is also recognition that he has been dealt a difficult hand. Notably, Slot is titled Liverpool’s ‘head coach’ rather than ‘manager,’ which indicates that he is not solely responsible for the team’s glaring shortage of central defenders. However, while the transfer team may have miscalculated priorities last summer, the team is falling short of its potential, and that is ultimately on Slot.

At no point this season has it seemed that he has found the right balance for his lineup. Initially, the team was involved in chaotic matches but is now consistently delivering uninspiring draws each week. The troubling aspect is that Slot does not appear to be any closer to rediscovering a winning formula. He now faces a critical decision: to reinstate Mohamed Salah in the starting lineup for Wednesday’s Champions League match against Marseille.

Despite an ostensibly strained relationship, Slot urgently needs Salah more than the player needs him, as Liverpool lacks sufficient goal-scoring talent to keep their most prolific scorer on the bench. While Salah’s inclusion may create pressing challenges, it is Slot’s responsibility to address these issues to safeguard both Liverpool’s season and his own position.

Though he still holds some credibility, it is diminishing rapidly, as fans are not only frustrated but also losing faith. They seek something tangible to grasp—should it not be a promising cup run, they need concrete reassurance that next season will be markedly better.

In this context, the situation at Anfield transcends mere results. Without improved performances, the chorus of discontent from the stands will grow so loud that neither Slot nor his employers can ignore it.