When Liverpool appointed Arne Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp, there was excitement mixed with a tint of anxiety.

Arne had impressed in the Eredivisie, nurturing young players and implementing a high-energy style that drew comparisons to Jurgen Klopp’s own philosophy. He was hailed as a forward-thinking manager, touted to continue Liverpool’s evolution rather than overhaul its essence.

Slot delivered in his first season with the club, and he delivered the Premier League title. As a result, Liverpool backed him more than any other manager in their history with several quality signings. He was expected to build a dynasty at Anfield.

Fast forward to October 2025, and optimism has given way to unrest. Six defeats in their last seven matches, coupled with toothless performances across competitions, have plunged Liverpool into an alarming spiral.

The conversation has shifted rapidly from patience to panic. For a club that shattered its own transfer record twice this past summer, the current collapse borders on disgraceful. The investment was enormous, the expectations sky-high, and yet the outcome, so far, has been a steep decline.

A Summer of hope and heavy spending

Few clubs in Europe were as active or as ambitious in the most recent transfer window as Liverpool. Backed generously by the Liverpool hierarchy, Arne Slot spent lavishly to reshape the squad in his image.

Two new signings broke the club’s transfer record in a single window, signalling Liverpool’s determination to reclaim domestic dominance and challenge for European glory. These were not gambles on raw talent either; Slot targeted proven performers, players who had already excelled at the top level in their previous clubs.

The spending spree was, therefore, not just a statement of ambition; it was a vote of confidence in Slot’s managerial ideas. The board handed him unprecedented financial backing, trusting his judgment and tactical acumen.

The expectation was that he would blend the new arrivals seamlessly with the existing core that had delivered the Premier League title last season. However, just weeks into the campaign, the reality could not be further from the ideal.

Liverpool’s disappearing identity under Arne Slot

Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp were defined by intensity, relentless pressing, emotional connection, and a clear sense of purpose. Under Arne Slot, the identity that once made Liverpool feared has evaporated. The team that used to strangle opponents with energy and coordination now drifts through matches, lacking dynamism and cohesion.

There is no discernible pattern to their play. At times, Liverpool attempt to play out from the back with forced patience, but the execution is clumsy and predictable. On other occasions, they revert to hopeful long passes or crosses that seem devoid of planning. The pressing game, once their greatest weapon, has become inconsistent and disjointed.

Without structure, even world-class players crumble. The midfield appears confused about pressing triggers, the full-backs are often exposed, and the forwards look isolated. Every performance mirrors a team caught between two conflicting styles, what they used to be and what they are now asked to become. The result is chaos on the field and confusion in the minds of the players.

Expensive signings, minimal returns

Liverpool’s new recruits have been the biggest disappointment. Each signing arrived with a pedigree, boasting impressive statistics and proven quality. Yet under Arne Slot, they look like shadows of the players they once were.

It is no coincidence that footballers who thrived elsewhere are now struggling simultaneously. This suggests not a sudden collective loss of form but a fundamental tactical mismatch. A capable manager builds a system that amplifies the strengths of his players.

Slot’s current setup does the opposite; it restricts their creativity and exposes their flaws. The inability to integrate the new signings points to poor planning and inadequate understanding of how to deploy his assets effectively.

Even Liverpool’s established stars have suffered in this environment. Icons like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah appear deflated and directionless. A team’s form often mirrors its manager’s clarity. Right now, both are missing.

No signs of progress

Defeats can be endured if the process inspires confidence. That is not the case here. Each week, Liverpool, under Arne Slot, look worse, not better. The lack of improvement in performance and mentality is perhaps the most damning aspect of Slot’s short reign so far.

Out of the EFL Cup already, trailing in the Premier League title race, and struggling to produce any rhythm in Europe, Liverpool find themselves at a crossroads. For a club of their stature, a global powerhouse with expectations to contend on all fronts, this state of decline is unacceptable by October. The numbers do not merely tell a story of misfortune; they expose systemic failure.

The decline runs deeper

There is also an evident mental fragility about this Liverpool team. Once famed for their resilience and comeback spirit, they now crumble under pressure. Every setback triggers visible frustration on the field, poor body language, misplaced passes, and arguments among players. It is the opposite of the unity that once defined them.

Behind the scenes, whispers have emerged of confusion over training methods and tactical instructions. Some senior Liverpool players reportedly question whether Arne Slot’s strategies suit the tempo of English football. Whether those murmurs hold truth or not, they reflect a growing sense of doubt and disillusionment inside the camp.

Credit in the bank, but for how long?

Arne Slot will always be remembered as the man who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season. That achievement commands respect and offers him some credit in the bank. However, football moves quickly. Past success is no shield against present decline, especially at a club that operates under the highest standards.

The concern is not just the losing run, but the absence of any tangible indication that a turnaround is in sight. Managers under pressure can survive rough spells when their teams show glimpses of fight and determination. In Liverpool’s current case, those glimpses are missing. Every indicator, from body language to tactical coherence, points in the wrong direction.

The Klopp shadow and the possibility of return

Whispers of Jurgen Klopp’s possible return only complicate the situation further. The German tactician’s legacy at Anfield was monumental; his philosophy became the soul of modern Liverpool. Recently, Klopp hinted that he might one day consider returning to management at the right moment. That “moment” may be closer than expected.

For Liverpool’s hierarchy, this presents both a temptation and a moral dilemma amid the struggles under Arne Slot. Do they stand by Slot in the hope that he rediscovers his touch, or do they act decisively before the season slips further away?

Klopp’s availability, combined with his undying affection for the club, makes the decision even more thought-provoking. Reuniting Klopp with his spiritual home would be an emotional and tactical reset, a chance to restore identity and belief.

The case for decisive action

Elite football thrives on timing. Persistence can often morph into stubbornness if continued beyond reason. Liverpool’s executives must now recognise that their project under Arne Slot may have hit a wall. With months remaining in the season, decisive change could still rescue something meaningful from the wreckage.

Replacing a manager mid-season is never ideal, but inaction could prove costlier. The gap to the top of the table already threatens to become unbridgeable, and the longer this slump continues, the greater the risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification. Financially and reputationally, that would be devastating for a club of Liverpool’s ambitions.

The owners face a defining test. They invested heavily to ensure the Merseyside club’s competitiveness, and they must now safeguard that investment by confronting reality. Loyalty to a promising manager must not cloud judgment when results and performances so clearly indicate regression.

The urgency of now

Liverpool’s situation is salvageable, but only if change comes swiftly. The season is not yet lost, but the downward momentum will soon be irreversible if left unchecked. The players look desperate for guidance, the fans restless for identity, and the club yearning for direction.

Arne Slot deserves gratitude for his achievements last season, but sentiment cannot dictate elite decision-making. Liverpool must act in the best interest of the club’s future, not out of nostalgia for a past success that now feels increasingly distant.

This is the moment for the ownership to display clarity and courage, to admit that the project under Slot has failed to evolve and to initiate a reset before the damage deepens. Whether that means seeking Jurgen Klopp’s return or identifying a new visionary, the priority is clear: restore Liverpool’s standards and rekindle their spirit.

For a club built on excellence and identity, mediocrity should never be accepted. Anfield demands passion, structure, and leadership, and right now, under Arne Slot, all three appear to be missing.