Liverpool are into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2022 after beating Galatasaray 4-1 on aggregate.
Although Reds supporters have seen their team lift Europe’s premier trophy on six different occasions, it has been a rare moment that they have made the competition’s final rounds in recent years.
Arne Slot now faces a big week in early April having also led Liverpool into the last eight of the FA Cup, where they will face Manchester City. Remarkably, despite all their success in both competitions, it is only the fifth time in Liverpool’s history that they’re in the quarter-finals for the two trophies.
CHANGE MY MIND: Liverpool are still the best team in Europe on their day
After watching all of the other quarter-finalists, the Reds have nobody to fear in the Champions League 🏆
Slot guides Liverpool through the turmoil
Liverpool have not been good enough this season, there is no getting away from that. Slot has been a huge part of that problem, with the Dutchman seemingly intent on sticking to slow, control-based football which has led to a disconnect with supporters.
Prior to Wednesday’s win over Galatasaray, here at Rousing The Kop we were convinced Liverpool have to sack Slot to save their season.
One game should not necessarily change that notion, but the 4-0 thumping Liverpool delivered was so much better than anything they have served up this season, that hope is springing once again.
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The energy was back, emitting from Slot himself as he charged about the touchline in a manner Jurgen Klopp would have been proud of. This is the manager we saw for large parts of last season, this is the person who absolutely can lead Liverpool.
Although it has been incredibly belated, Slot still deserves credit and respect from supporters for recognising what needed to change and changing it. It may just have saved his job and could lead to a reprieve amongst the Anfield crowd as well.
Furthermore, while they have been bad, Liverpool could yet have an historic season. As statistician Michael Reid posted on X, it is only the fifth time ever that the Reds are in the last eight of the FA Cup and Champions League respectively. The season has been a wreck, but Slot and his players have still managed to make it a potentially brilliant one.
Discuss: Arne Slot could win Liverpool fans back if he keeps showing passion on the touchline
There was much more energy vs Galatasaray, could that change things?
Slot still has something to give Liverpool
Read some of the rhetoric surrounding Slot throughout the past few months and you would be forgiven for forgetting that this is a Premier League-winning manager we’re talking about.
The 47-year-old has lost so much credit and fallen so far within the fanbase this season, but on nights like Wednesday, you remember that he really is a top-level coach.
If he is to bring the version who was screaming at the fourth official and dropping to his knees in frustration into every match this season, then Liverpool might just be okay.
Supporters also want to see that, it is something to connect with, and by letting the handbrake go, Slot could quickly worm his way back into their hearts.
Clearly, results will have to match, but while they have been largely terrible, Liverpool have also shown that, on their day, then can still mix it with top teams. Despite being so poor, Slot has guided them to something only four Liverpool teams have done before. He deserves respect for that. Put the foot down and embrace the chaos, and he will surely receive it.
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