Liverpool failed to win for the fifth Premier League match in a row on Saturday. AFC Bournemouth won 3-2 thanks to a very late goal and afterwards the British media were not lenient in their assessment of manager Arne Slot.
Fansites Rousing the Kop writes: “Slot has no one to blame but himself after his huge mistake against Bournemouth.” The medium is referring to Slot’s choice not to let Hugo Ekitiké, but Cody Gakpo, start at the point of the attack.
“It was a decision that made no sense at all, looking at how well Ekitiké has been playing this season and the fact that Gakpo is not a natural striker. As expected, Gakpo had a negative impact in the axis of the pitch and Frimpong and Kerkez had no point of contact.”
That opinion is shared by BBC-journalist Rob Green, who covered the match for radio. “The problem with Liverpool’s formation is that they look dangerous on the flanks but there is no one in the middle to pass the ball to.”
Liverpool Echo is also harsh on Slot and headlines: “Arne Slot sees season-long suffering worsen as Liverpool’s infuriating failures continue to pile up.” The medium thinks that the manager should fear for his job.
“The Liverpool boss is coming under renewed pressure after a run of 13 games unbeaten came to an painful, dramatic and entirely avoidable end.”
This is Anfield is also very critical of Slot. “And that ended the worst unbeaten run of all time, in which Liverpool did not lose a single match, drew six times and won only seven times.”
“And all this while they largely played weakly. This also disappears an important shield for Arne Slot against the criticism of the level of his team lately. Now the fact that the Reds having won just five of their last 18 league games, are back in the spotlight.”
“As well as the fact that they have been dangling in the bottom half of the table since September. Some of the decisions made in the summer are part of the reason, and that is why Richard Hughes and his team should be under fire.”
“But is this selection so flawed that more points could not be achieved? Absolutely not.” Liverpool is already fourteen points behind leaders Arsenal and will have to do everything they can to end up in a Champions League spot at all.
