‘Slot is speaking like he wants to be sacked’ – Liverpool Fans React to Man City Loss

Liverpool’s Fragile Identity Exposed in Defeat to Man City: What Next for Arne Slot?

In the aftermath of Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield, Anfield Index’s ‘Post-Match RAW’ podcast provided a brutally honest and painfully insightful analysis of the Reds’ faltering season. Hosted by Trev Downey, with contributions from Dave Hendrick and Jim Boardman, the episode captured the growing sense of disillusionment surrounding Arne Slot’s reign as Liverpool manager.

Right from the off, the tone was clear. “There was a lot of sighing and silence and despondency,” Trev confessed. “It just feels a bit like oh god make this end please.” Dave, always forthright, summed it up: “That first 35 minutes was abysmal.”

Slot’s Tactical Decisions Leave Pundits Baffled

The game’s narrative, as dissected on the podcast, was one of systemic flaws and a manager increasingly under pressure. Dave Hendrick questioned the game management, pointing to the Curtis Jones substitution made immediately after City’s equaliser: “What are you doing? Can you not react to what you’re seeing in front of you?”

In a scathing but measured analysis, Dave added: “He was planning the Curtis substitution, they equalise, and he still makes the same substitution.” That inability to adapt has become a recurring theme, one that fans and pundits alike are no longer willing to overlook.

Even Slot’s post-match comments drew fire. Dave unloaded: “To come from the mouth of a Liverpool manager after a defeat like that? That is some rubbish.”

Photo: IMAGO

Defensive Effort Undone by Fragility

Despite some solid individual performances — particularly from Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Dominik Szoboszlai — Liverpool’s collective frailty was laid bare. “They’re soft!,” Dave declared, a phrase he used to describe Liverpool’s vulnerability across the pitch.

Szoboszlai’s spectacular free-kick to equalise was a rare moment of brilliance. “That was Steven Gerrard that struck that ball,” Dave said. “It just bent away with unbelievable power and venom.” Yet even that goal was rendered meaningless by the collapse that followed.

The goal should have been a turning point. Instead, Trev lamented, “The lads let him down to the extent that that didn’t have any bearing on the game is dreadful.”

Slot Talking Like He Wants to Be Sacked

Perhaps the most alarming moment was Dave’s observation of Slot’s demeanour and communication. Referring to Slot’s post-match rhetoric, he snapped, “That’s Hodgson 101… Get out. It’s over.” Dave was not alone in his despair. Jim Boardman summed up the general fan feeling with: “Maybe it’s time for us to have a manager bounce.”

Dave went further: “This is just not sustainable. This is not tenable.” Slot’s repeated failure to adapt, underuse of the bench, and apparent acceptance of mediocrity have left many wondering whether the manager has lost the dressing room — and the plot.

“He has done a poor job for nigh on a year,” Dave stated. The damning comparison? “We’re currently worse than we were under Roy [Hodgson].”

Man City Ruthless, Liverpool Rudderless

While Manchester City were praised for their efficiency, Dave made clear the current City side was far from the dominant juggernaut of previous years. “They’re just a very good team now rather than a great team,” he noted. And yet, they had enough to see off Liverpool, who, Trev added, “cannot do that” — referring to the team’s tendency to sit back and invite pressure.

That trend was summed up in one cutting quote from Jim: “We basically said, ‘Here’s your slippers, lad.’”

Even Liverpool’s long-heralded Anfield advantage has faded. “Arne Slot has now lost five times at Anfield,” Dave said. “Jurgen lost six in front of fans over 146 games.”

Final Whistle Thoughts

As it stands, Liverpool sit sixth, trailing Chelsea, Manchester United, and Aston Villa, with Champions League qualification slipping further away. “Roy Keane was right. We’ve been bad champions,” Dave concluded.

Slot may have won the league in his first season, but now he is, in Dave’s words, “talking like he wants to be sacked.” The question is, will the Liverpool hierarchy act before it’s too late?