Some football fans are beginning to ask the uncomfortable question: has Arne Slot truly built a Liverpool team of his own, or is he still leaning heavily on the foundations left behind by Jurgen Klopp’s legacy at Anfield? The debate is getting louder by the week.

One football fan summed it up bluntly on Facebook: “Arne Slot inherited a well-tuned team, he thought he was the genius.”

Jamie Carragher did not sugarcoat his opinion, went even further when assessing the Reds’ current struggles: “I’m not watching a top team. Liverpool are not playing football; they’re playing basketball. For the manager now, he knows he really has to earn his money.”

That sharp criticism has only been fueled by Liverpool’s recent dip. The 2025/26 season began brightly under Slot, but the cracks are now showing.

Instead of dominating opponents with the relentless energy Anfield once promised, Liverpool are finding themselves second-best in too many key battles.

As Mikel Arteta noted after Arsenal’s win at Anfield, not many visiting teams feel they can limit the Reds to just a handful of chances like Arsenal did this season—a scenario that would have been unthinkable during Klopp’s peak years.

The situation is compounded by the alarming dip in form of star names. Big summer signings like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have yet to justify their hype, while proven leaders like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk look shadows of themselves. That sudden drop in performance has cast doubt on Slot’s recruitment strategy and tactical approach, with critics questioning whether he truly understands how to blend this squad into a cohesive force.

Yes, Slot deserves credit for delivering the 2024/25 Premier League title in his debut season and Liverpool’s owners for backing him with heavy investment in the summer transfer window.

But the 2025/26 campaign is already threatening to unravel. Three straight defeats—the Reds’ worst run in two years—and nine goals conceded in their first seven league games (seven more than at the same stage last season) have set alarm bells ringing.

As the old saying goes, defense wins you titles. Under Slot, that defensive solidity has crumbled. The aura Klopp built around Anfield is fading, and right now, it feels like Jurgen Klopp’s shadow still looms far too large for Arne Slot to escape.

Klopp’s Shoes Were Always Too Big to Fill

Arne Slot stepped into Anfield fully aware of the monumental challenge ahead: replacing Jurgen Klopp was never going to be just another managerial job. Klopp wasn’t merely a coach; he was a transformational figure who turned Liverpool from a side scraping for top-four into a global powerhouse capable of standing toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Klopp’s charisma, tactical brilliance, and bond with the Kop created an era that redefined Liverpool Football Club. While he didn’t match Guardiola trophy for trophy, he gave Reds fans nights they will never forget—Champions League triumphs, a long-awaited Premier League title, and a brand of football so thrilling that it was christened “heavy-metal football.” Klopp brought Liverpool back to the elite, and in doing so, raised the bar impossibly high for his successor.

That’s why nostalgia is already creeping back into the terraces. One Liverpool fan recently shared a picture of Klopp celebrating with his hand on the badge, captioned simply with “Take me back” and a teary emoji.

Another posted a throwback of the famous Salah-Mane-Firmino front three, longing for the days when the Reds’ attack terrified Europe. And who could forget Liverpool’s extraordinary run between August 2018 and summer 2020?

Just four defeats in two full seasons, and a staggering 190 Premier League points collected—a level of dominance few clubs in world football could match.

The contrast with the years before Klopp couldn’t be sharper. Liverpool had tried legendary figures like Kenny Dalglish and promising tacticians like Brendan Rodgers, but neither could restore the club’s historical glory.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United had not only dominated the Premier League but, as he once promised, had “knocked Liverpool off their perch.” The Kop fell silent under the weight of United’s success.

Rodgers briefly reignited hope with a vibrant side led by Luis Suárez, Raheem Sterling, and Philippe Coutinho, only for it to all collapse with Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip.

Then Klopp arrived—and methodically rebuilt everything from the ground up.

Although Klopp’s early squads featured honest professionals like Adam Lallana, Simon Mignolet, Emre Can, James Milner, and Joe Allen—players who worked hard but were never truly world-class—the German still managed to squeeze every ounce of quality from them.

They weren’t mediocre by any means, but they weren’t the elite-level talents you associate with title-winning sides either. Yet Klopp’s system and man-management elevated them beyond their natural ceiling, laying the groundwork for the world-beating Liverpool team that would follow.

He gradually restructured the team, instilled belief, and created a side that didn’t just compete, but conquered.

Ironically, as Liverpool now wrestle with their post-Klopp identity crisis, the man himself seems entirely at peace. Klopp recently admitted he doesn’t miss management and is enjoying life away from football with his family.

Klopp Didn’t Just Spend – He Built Smart

Jurgen Klopp was never afraid to spend big when the moment demanded it. Virgil van Dijk arrived for a world-record fee for a defender, Alisson Becker came in as one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history—and both transformed Liverpool instantly. Every penny was justified.

Van Dijk became the ultimate defensive leader in his time, while Alisson gave the Reds the safe hands they had been crying out for. For long stretches of the past few seasons, many rightly regarded them as the best defender and goalkeeper in world football.

But Klopp’s genius went beyond headline transfers. He saw opportunity where others saw risk. Mohamed Salah, once dismissed as a Chelsea flop, was reinvented at Anfield into a goal-scoring machine and global superstar. It remains a mystery to many fans how Salah somehow missed out on the 2025 Ballon d’Or, despite his incredible numbers. Klopp also nurtured homegrown talent, taking a raw teenager in Trent Alexander-Arnold and shaping him into the most dangerous attacking right-back in the game.

The recruitment was just as shrewd elsewhere: Roberto Firmino became the heartbeat of Liverpool’s pressing game, Sadio Mané brought raw pace and goals, Fabinho anchored midfield battles, and bargain additions like Andy Robertson and even the ever-reliable James Milner proved priceless. These weren’t just signings; they were puzzle pieces that fit perfectly into Klopp’s high-energy, high-pressing machine.

The result? Liverpool rose back to the top of world football. The Reds conquered Europe by winning the Champions League, ended their 30-year wait for a Premier League title, and re-established themselves as European royalty. Klopp’s legacy wasn’t just about trophies—it was about building a team with identity, hunger, and fear factor. His “heavy-metal football” had a clear rhythm and intensity, a style where players looked twice as good as they did anywhere else.

And that is where the comparison to Arne Slot becomes stark. Those same players who once thrived under Klopp’s system now look uncomfortable, unsure, and at times completely lost under Slot’s tactical blueprint. The contrast couldn’t be clearer: Klopp built smart, Slot looks like is still searching for answers after a summer of heavy spending.

Investment Without Clear Progress: Slot Was Riding the Wave in His First Season

When Arne Slot arrived at Anfield, he inherited around 90% of Jurgen Klopp’s title-winning side. To his credit, he guided them to the 2024/25 Premier League crown. But the question still hangs in the air: was that triumph truly Slot’s achievement, or was it the final chapter of Klopp’s masterpiece?

This past summer told its own story. Liverpool splashed over £400 million in the transfer market, a statement of intent designed to refresh the squad and build on the momentum of last season’s title win.

Florian Wirtz came in from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, Alexander Isak was prised away from Newcastle for £120m, and Hugo Ekitike arrived for £79m, billed as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards. On paper, Liverpool added firepower and flair in almost every department.

Yet the outside view hasn’t been kind.

Club legend Jamie Carragher openly admitted that despite his former team spending close to £450m, Arsenal now boast the best squad in the country. “I think Arsenal have the best squad in the country, and I do believe that,” Carragher said recently.

Fellow ex-Red Michael Owen echoed the sentiment, arguing after Arsenal’s comeback win over Newcastle that “this Arsenal team is miles ahead of Liverpool in terms of performances.”

Questionable Decisions

1. Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are no longer looking like the unstoppable forces they once were.

Whether it’s age and inconsistency creeping in or Arne Slot’s tactics failing to get the best out of them, Liverpool’s hierarchy may now be regretting the timing of those contract extensions.

Take Salah, for example. This is not just any forward. Just months ago, he set the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season, racking up an outrageous 29 goals and 18 assists. Across 52 games in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, he scored 57 goals—numbers that belong in video games, not real life.

Many independent football fans echoed the same belief: “Salah deserved the Ballon d’Or — what he did last season was nothing short of special.” Now, a section of the football fan base think Mohamed Salah should be benched – how did we get here so soon?

The same doubts surround Virgil van Dijk. Once the gold standard of defending, he has looked increasingly vulnerable. Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Matchday 7 exposed him badly, while in the Champions League clash with Galatasaray, İlkay Gündoğan repeatedly found joy against the Dutchman’s backline.

And yet, perspective is crucial. Van Dijk is still one of the greatest defenders of his generation. Fans have been quick to remind critics of the countless times he has shut down the world’s best: Messi, Ronaldo, Kane, Salah, Mané, Mbappé, Haaland, Benzema, Agüero—all have been pocketed by the Dutch colossus at one point or another.

As one supporter put it: “Let us not pretend that Van Dijk has not pocketed the best attackers in the world.”

The problem, then, is not about whether Salah and Van Dijk have suddenly become bad players. The issue is whether Slot’s system is failing to maximise them at the back end of their careers, when tactical protection and clever usage are more important than ever.

2. Confusion in the Right-Back Position

Not everything has gone Arne Slot’s way. The loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid was always going to be a seismic blow—one that the club’s hierarchy must also shoulder responsibility for.

Replacing the best attacking right-back in world football was never going to be straightforward, and so far, the solutions have looked muddled at best.

Jeremie Frimpong, signed for around £30 million from Bayer Leverkusen, was expected to step straight into Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role.

Instead, he has struggled under the weight of expectation and, to make matters worse, Arne Slot has repeatedly turned to Dominik Szoboszlai—a central midfielder by trade—to cover at right-back, rather than placing his trust in Frimpong.

The confusion came to a head in the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray, when Slot was pressed on his decision-making. His explanation only added to the uncertainty:

“Jeremie Frimpong played as a wing-back or a right-winger at Bayer Leverkusen, he is one of the players who can replace Mo Salah in that (right-wing) position…but I think both of them (Frimpong and Szoboszlai) can play really well in that position.”

That explanation only raised more questions than answers. At what point did Arne Slot decide that Frimpong, in his very first season at Anfield didn’t need time to settle into the role he was actually signed for? And more crucially, was Dominik Szoboszlai really the heir-apparent to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back all this time, or is this just a tactical gamble that has already backfired?

Critics have lined up to voice their concerns. Alan Shearer questioned why Liverpool spent so heavily on Frimpong if Slot doesn’t even trust him at right-back:

“They paid a lot of money for a right-back in Frimpong… yet you are playing a midfielder at right-back. That tells you he’s not comfortable.”

Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Slot to stop experimenting, calling for Szoboszlai to be restored to his natural role:

“Get Szoboszlai’s energy back in that central midfield role.”

According to social media outlets, even Glen Johnson, who knows the Anfield right-back spot inside out, admitted that Frimpong simply hasn’t filled Trent’s shoes:

“He hasn’t looked like he is ready to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold yet from what I have seen so far.”

Johnson went further, suggesting Frimpong looks like a shadow of the player who excelled at Leverkusen:

“I think Frimpong needs to get back to the performances that made Liverpool sign him in the first place. We haven’t seen enough of that player.”

The criticism isn’t just from pundits either. One Arsenal fan went viral by branding Frimpong as the “flop no-one is talking about.”

At the heart of it all lies the bigger issue: Liverpool replaced an all-time great in Trent Alexander-Arnold but still don’t seem to know who, or what, comes next in their right back position.

3. The Ekitike–Isak Dilemma: Was Selling Luis Díaz a Mistake?

Liverpool’s attacking puzzle under Arne Slot is raising eyebrows. The big question is: Can Hugo Ekitike realistically play off the left wing to accommodate Alexander Isak in the No. 9 role? Can Slot fit both strikers into the same system without sacrificing Liverpool’s trademark width and balance? And crucially, are either of them genuine upgrades on Luis Díaz?

The Colombian’s departure to Bayern Munich is looking more questionable with every passing game. Díaz had already proven himself on the big stage and statistically ranked among the top left-wingers in world football. Barcelona’s sporting director Deco even admitted Barça had serious interest in signing Díaz ahead of the 2025–26 season.

Now at Bayern, Díaz has hit the ground running with 3 goals and 3 assists in just 5 matches, underlining the feeling that Liverpool may have sold the wrong man. His pace, directness, and ability to produce moments of magic from impossible angles made him tailor-made for the Reds’ traditional wing-heavy style. Letting him go may likely come to look like a mistake.

Instead, Liverpool poured huge sums into two centre-forwards — Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Both are supremely talented, but both are natural No. 9s.

And that sparks the obvious tactical dilemma: was there ever any clear planning behind splashing such massive fees on two strikers, when what Liverpool really seemed to lack was a winger — a player who could stretch defences with width, speed, and direct dribbling on the flanks?

If Slot can’t find a way to fit them both into his system without sacrificing balance, then one of them risks becoming nothing more than a very expensive bench option.

Even Slot’s explanation left doubts. When asked about doubling up on strikers, he said:

“Yes, we added two number nines. How should I say this the right way in English? Because of an enormous tragedy that happened with Diogo Jota. We had to bring in two number nines…we always thought we were going to replace Darwin Núñez with one number 9. We had to bring in two number nines. We are always looking for very good players, but it was clear to us, from the start, that we wanted to bring in these two if we needed to.”

Not to second-guess Slot, but both Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz thrived on the wings while also being able to shift centrally when needed — that kind of tactical flexibility gave Liverpool balance.

Now, the same tricky balance may soon be demanded of Ekitike or Isak. Otherwise, one of these big-money signings could find themselves reduced to nothing more than a very expensive bench-warmer.

But many football fans believe the Alexander Isak transfer was more opportunistic than strategic. Reports suggest Liverpool only moved for the Swede late in the window, once it became clear he was pushing to leave Newcastle.

That delay proved costly. Isak missed pre-season with the Reds, leaving him short of match fitness and struggling to settle into Slot’s system in the opening weeks of the 2025–26 campaign.

It’s why so many believe Ekitike was always the original target, with Isak’s arrival more of a late-market opportunity Liverpool simply couldn’t ignore — even if it risked pushing the Frenchman down the pecking order.

In truth, unless Ekitike shows the positional versatility to adapt out wide or in deeper roles, he could end up surplus to requirements. All of it feeds the impression that this was not the product of a carefully mapped-out transfer strategy, but rather a gamble driven by availability.

Not everyone sees it as a negative, though. Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry both, former prolific strikers, believe the competition between the two strikers will raise standards. Rooney, speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, said:

“Ekitike is one million per cent in competition with Isak. You’ve got two forwards who are slightly different.”

Henry even called it a “nice headache” for Slot to have.

Time will tell if Arne Slot is trying to hide the bigger issue: in chasing strikers, Liverpool may have weakened the very identity that made them dangerous—flying wingers who could stretch defences to breaking point.

4. Florian Wirtz – Overrated or Just Overvalued?

Liverpool’s £116 million purchase of Florian Wirtz is fast becoming one of the biggest talking points of the early 2025–26 season.

The German playmaker arrived from Bayer Leverkusen with a world-class reputation and a price tag to match, but he has yet to produce the kind of match-winning spark expected from a marquee No. 10 at Anfield.

To be fair, Wirtz has been busy. Statistically, he has ranked among Liverpool’s most active creators in the Premier League so far. Against Atletico Madrid — one of Europe’s toughest defensive outfits — no Liverpool player registered more touches in the opposition box or created more chances. By mid-September 2025, he led the league in key movement metrics:

• Most off-ball runs (92)
• Most runs into the final third (42)
• Most runs ahead of the ball

These numbers underline his work rate, positional awareness, and anticipation as a classic No. 10. On paper, he looks like a midfielder constantly trying to make things happen.

Despite the running and the creativity, by Gameweek 7 Wirtz still had 0 goals and 0 assists. For a £116 million attacking midfielder in one of the most demanding roles in football, that’s simply not good enough. The barren run has sparked the infamous “007 jokes” — mocking Wirtz for having 0 goals, 0 assists after 7 appearances.

Fans are also divided on what these stats really mean. One frustrated supporter, likely an Arsenal fan, pointed out the double standards:

“A £63m centre forward (Viktor Gyökeres) with 3 goals in 4 games is being laughed at on Sky Sports for how he runs. Meanwhile, a £116m attacking midfielder (Florian Wirtz) is praised for off-ball runs. This is what happens when certain parts of England have a disproportionate influence over the media.”

Others have been equally brutal. One quipped that Wirtz is “collecting different colour ratings like they are infinity stones,” suggesting he is inconsistent — flickering between decent and forgettable, but never truly living up to his nine-figure price tag.

And the ridicule hasn’t stopped there. Edited photos labelling Wirtz as a “fraud” have gone viral, while comparisons have already been made with Antony, the former Manchester United winger who flopped at Old Trafford before salvaging his career in Spain.

According to Transfermarkt, Wirtz ranks among the worst performers in their first 8 games of any player signed for over €100m, rubbing shoulders with infamous big-money disappointments like Philippe Coutinho and João Félix.

Even pundits are starting to lose patience. Gabriel Agbonlahor has openly called on Arne Slot to bench Wirtz:

“Wirtz, it is not working… take him out. Yes, I know it’s tough for a manager to drop a player you’ve spent £115m on, but Liverpool need to get back to what was working last season: Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai in midfield.”

5. Liverpool’s Leaky Defence – A Title Killer?

In the 2025–26 season so far, Liverpool have scored 13 goals — but have already conceded 9. Compare that to the same stage last year, when the Reds had also scored 13 but shipped just 2 goals after seven games.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed. Former Premier League midfielder and analyst Robbie Mustoe has already sounded the alarm, warning that Liverpool’s soft underbelly could derail their title ambitions:

“Champions do not concede many goals. Do they?” he quipped

Liverpool once boasted one of the most fearsome defensive records in Europe under Klopp, anchored by Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and a disciplined back line.

Today, that aura of control and resilience feels badly diminished. In fact, the cracks were brutally exposed on Gameweek 7, when Moises Caicedo ran Liverpool’s midfield and backline in circles during the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea and won man of the match award.

6. Liverpool and the Refereeing Debate – “LiVARpool” or Just Coincidence?

Last season, the image of Mohamed Salah hugging a referee — intended as a simple congratulatory gesture — became symbolic for rival fans. For some, it fed the narrative that PGMOL had helped Liverpool win the title, even if there was no real evidence beyond conspiracy talk.

But the conversation hasn’t gone away. If anything, it has intensified this season, with critics suggesting the “script” has picked up right where it left off.

Some fans point to EPL referee Jarred Gillett, who has overseen 66% of Arsenal’s games this season, amid allegations he is a Liverpool supporter.

Whether true or not, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and some sections of Arsenal fans have been vocal about controversial calls, particularly during their clash with Newcastle at St. James’s Park this season.

Controversial Refereeing Decisions That Have Favoured Liverpool

Vs Burnley (2025/26 Season)
Liverpool were awarded a penalty, but replays showed one of their players encroaching into the box as the kick was taken. Normally, such infringements lead to a retake — this time, the decision stood.

Vs Arsenal (2025/26 Season)
A clear talking point came when Dominik Szoboszlai appeared to handle the ball inside his own area.

To many neutrals, it looked like the kind of incident that usually results in a penalty. The referee waved it away saying the hand was in a normal position and Liverpool left Anfield with all three points.

Vs Everton (2025/26 Merseyside Derby)
In a heated derby, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was bizarrely booked for taking a quick free-kick while the ball was rolling — a rule rarely applied in that manner. Like Jack Grealish, not many football fans have seen a booking for taking a quick free kick.

Former referee Mark Halsey called it “absolute nonsense.”

Dewsbury-Hall himself described it as “mind boggling.

Even fans and commentators labelled it one of the strangest bookings ever seen.

Vs Crystal Palace (2025/26 Season)
Perhaps the most explosive moment came when Mohamed Salah handled the ball with his arm raised well above his head in the build-up to a goal. The decision stood, sparking outrage.

Rival fans branded the incident “the craziest decision I’ve ever seen,” while others revived the sarcastic nickname “LiVARpool.”

7. Winning Late: Fighting Spirit or Sheer Luck?

Liverpool’s tendency to snatch victories in the dying minutes has split opinion across the football world. Is it the hallmark of champions with an unbreakable spirit, or simply luck wrapped in red shirts?

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool of old often killed games off convincingly. But under Arne Slot in the 2025/26 season, this star-studded side have relied heavily on last-gasp goals to grind out results.

Fans and pundits alike remain divided:

“Arsenal play badly at Manchester United and win 1-0 — media: Arsenal poor, got lucky. Liverpool play badly at 10-man Burnley and win with a 95th-minute penalty — media: the stuff of champions…” wrote one fan.

Another countered: “Champions always find a way to win. End of story.”

Others warned: “These lucky runs will come to an end and you will be exposed.”

A nervous Liverpool supporter even joked: “Please, it is no longer funny. I might get a heart attack soon.”

Former Arsenal man Paul Merson wasn’t convinced. Speaking on Sky Sports, he bluntly claimed:

“Liverpool should be mid-table. They have been gifted six points. They never looked like scoring against Arsenal or Newcastle — then win with the last kick. Burnley, a penalty in stoppage time. You could take six points off Liverpool and no one would have argued.”

8. Do Liverpool Benefit From Added Time?

Another hot topic has been the length of stoppage time in Liverpool games. Critics suggest the Reds are given more minutes when chasing a win, and fewer when protecting a lead.

David Moyes raised eyebrows this season after the Meseyside Derby, saying: “I have been here many times… but I found it amazing that it was only three minutes at the end of the second half.”

Online debates have been even sharper:

“Liverpool chasing a win: PGMOL adds 11+ minutes. Liverpool defending a lead: 3 minutes. The most corrupt league in the world.”

One Arsenal fan highlighted the Merseyside Derby: “Liverpool v Everton had just 3 minutes added despite six substitutions and three yellow cards — the first time this season so little was added, conveniently when Liverpool were holding a 2-1 lead.”

Conclusion: Arne Slot’s Liverpool – Champions or Pretenders?

Arne Slot’s Liverpool keep winning, but questions won’t go away. Huge spending hasn’t brought Klopp-level dominance, late winners look more like luck than control, and refereeing controversies keep fuelling rival claims of “LiVARpool.”

Until Slot builds a ruthless, convincing identity of his own, Liverpool will remain caught between being true champions and being exposed as pretenders living on borrowed time.