Liverpool: 4 Signs Arne Slot Is Losing Control After Crystal Palace Defeat
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come under scrutiny following his side’s disappointing Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace. His recent comments and tactical decisions have raised eyebrows among fans and pundits, suggesting that the Dutchman might be struggling to keep things under control at Anfield.
Over the summer, Liverpool made several big-money moves — breaking their transfer record twice to sign Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. They also added Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike, significantly bolstering their squad after last season’s Premier League triumph.
However, despite the spending spree, the Reds have hit a rough patch — winning just once in their last six games across all competitions. Against Palace, Slot rotated heavily in hopes of sparking a reaction, but instead watched his team fall apart against a well-drilled opponent.
1. Blaming Others Instead of Owning Up
After the defeat, Slot compared Liverpool’s situation to Manchester City and Chelsea, pointing out how their depth allows them to rest starters without a drop in quality.
“City’s entire lineup was changed, but it still looked like their best team. Chelsea can bring in Estevão, while I had to finish the game with six teenagers,” he said.
Many saw this as an excuse rather than accountability.
2. Abandoning Klopp’s Winning Formula
Slot seems to be moving away from the high-intensity style that brought Liverpool so much success under Jurgen Klopp. The new tactical setup has restricted Mohamed Salah’s influence, with the Egyptian struggling to find his rhythm this season.
3. Sticking With Out-of-Form Players
Despite clear dips in form, Slot has been reluctant to rotate his key men. Salah, for instance, continues to start almost every game even though his performances have fallen below expectations.
4. Questionable Transfer Decisions
Liverpool’s summer spending has been questioned too. While some of the new signings were reportedly board decisions, there’s no denying that Slot played a major role in pushing for several of them — raising doubts about whether the investment was truly necessary.
A Crucial Turning Point
From tactical confusion to questionable man-management, Slot’s recent actions suggest a manager under pressure. If he doesn’t turn things around soon, his dream start at Anfield could quickly become a nightmare.
