I have long maintained that this 'Slot won the league with Klopp's team' line is nonsense. Klopp couldn't win the league with Klopp's team the year before and I have no doubt whatsoever that he wasn't winning it last season. What Slot did, and yes it was Slot who did it, was nothing short of magical. For what he achieved Last Season, put some respect on his name.
However, what tonight has proven is that Slot is a momentum manager. When the team has it, when all is going well, the man is a genius. He'll have us unplayable. But when things go to south, as they have done, he just can't react. It reminds me of that episode of the Simpsons, when someone, I think it was Homer, who tried to get himself out of quicksand by putting his hands into it, causing him to sink further. Slot has found himself in a crisis situation and he has no idea how to resolve it.
However, what tonight has proven is that Slot is a momentum manager. When the team has it, when all is going well, the man is a genius. He'll have us unplayable. But when things go to south, as they have done, he just can't react. It reminds me of that episode of the Simpsons, when someone, I think it was Homer, who tried to get himself out of quicksand by putting his hands into it, causing him to sink further. Slot has found himself in a crisis situation and he has no idea how to resolve it.
The problems are by no means of his making. People talk about all the signings as if Slot signed them. He didn't, Hughes and Edwards did. That's not to say, they were bad signings, and when they click, we'll be unreal, but until that happens, we need someone who can steady the ship. Slot can't. He's an exceptional manager who will go on to do great things elsewhere, but he's not the man for the situation we are currently in. Obviously, the tragedy of Jota was not something Slot could prepare for, but, had that happened under Klopp, he had the personality to manage it. The let's hug and go for a pint type mentality that Arne - as sound and all as he seems - just doesn't have.
So with a heavy heart, I have to say, tonight I have joined the ranks of Slot out. Not because I don't appreciate what he did before, but because he can't do what we need him to do Now.
Thanks for everything Arne, but we need a change quickly. Who that person is I'm not so sure, but we need a caretaker manager in charge for the West Ham game.
⏩Donal O'Driscoll is a Liverpool supporter.
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