Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat against Manchester United could be the ‘nail in the coffin’ for Arne Slot’s time at Anfield.
That’s according to Reds legend Steve Nicol, who was angered at the performance of the Liverpool team at Old Trafford.
Relaying his thoughts for ESPN FC at the full-time whistle, Nicol claimed that it was the kind of display which suggested the players had lost any kind of motivation to play for their manager.
Can someone explain why this was allowed to stand?
Apparently United are allowed to handle balls into the net now 😤
Liverpool players looked ‘lost’ against United
The current direction of travel has been that Slot is likely to stay in his post throughout the summer and into next season.
However, there are still three games left to play, and if Liverpool turn up as poorly as they did during the first half on Sunday, the Dutchman could still be in trouble.
Nicol certainly thinks so, claiming that whatever Slot is doing to motivate his players simply is not working, and it is now reaching boiling point on the pitch.
READ MORE: Arne Slot needs a reality check after latest claim following Liverpool’s loss to Man United
“You can see with Liverpool’s performances that they are lost,” said the former full-back. “You know Slot’s trying to help people, talk to them, switch things up. But it looks like they’ve completely lost faith in him.
“They’re in a position now where there is a huge cloud over it. The only way you can get rid of it is by making changes. It’s not keeping the same guy in charge with the same players, you have to throw a hand grenade in and blow it up and start again.
“I just don’t believe that you can do it with Arne Slot now. Today for me really was the nail in the coffin when I’m watching this team and I’m like ‘this team looks completely lost’.”
Slot firing will depend on Xabi Alonso, says Nicol
Nicol also gave his thoughts on the possibility of Xabi Alonso being the man to come in and steer things right for Liverpool.
Are Liverpool making the right call by sticking with Arne Slot? 🤔
What does he need to do to get the fans and players back on side?
“I think if Xabi Alonso agreed to go to Liverpool, I think they would let him [Slot] go,” the pundit predicted, before adding that things are getting worse, not better, under Slot.
“They’re in absolute disarray,” he said. “The problem is, as bad as it’s been for Arne Slot, somehow it’s getting worse and worse every time they step on the field. It’s getting hard not to ridicule them now, that’s how bad it is.”
Despite the clamour from the outside, it still does not feel especially likely that Liverpool and Slot will part ways this summer.
The ‘hand grenade’ Nicol alludes to is going to have to be in regard to an overhaul of the playing squad instead. Then again, Liverpool tried that last year, and they are still picking up the pieces.
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