Arne Slot, the man behind Liverpool's recent triumphs in the Premier League and Champions League, has been making waves in European football. Despite leading the Reds to the top of both leagues, he faces criticism from an unexpected source - his father.
Arend Slot has been a constant presence throughout Arne's career journey, from his days as a player to his current role as a coach. However, this close relationship doesn't prevent him from expressing dissatisfaction with his son’s approach to managing games.
While Arne prefers controlling matches through possession-based play, Arend yearns for more excitement on the pitch. He believes that Liverpool should adopt a more aggressive style of play rather than focusing solely on maintaining control of the ball.
Discontent over Champions League performance
Arend’s critique was particularly evident following Liverpool’s Champions League match against Lille. Even though Liverpool emerged victorious with a 2-1 win and secured their place in the last 16, Arend felt that there was room for improvement.
Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, said:
“That’s difficult for fans and my father is a fan as well, when I call him after a game he says ‘Ah, it wasn’t as exciting as the other games of Liverpool’ when he watched the game against Lille. I had to try to explain to him these games, you can easily lose if you start to force all kinds of difficult balls, but he’s not always agreeing with me.
"But as a manager, I was quite happy with our performance against Lille because they were a team that are so well organised and play with so much control. I think there was one moment in the game I can remember Curtis [Jones] tried to play, from the halfway line, a bit of a ball that had a bit of risk and we lost it and they counter-attacked us. So that’s the risk you have if you play against a low-block team. [Nottingham] Forest is probably the best in the league.
“If you play these stupid balls, which I call stupid balls, which my father would love to see us playing a bit more, there’s the risk of them creating more chances.”
He argued that Arne should have adopted more aggressive tactics during this crucial game instead of sticking to his usual possession-oriented strategy.
Upcoming challenges
Looking ahead to Saturday's Premier League match against Ipswich at Anfield, Arne anticipates further challenges. He predicts difficulties in breaking down Ipswich’s low block defensive strategy and urges patience from both fans and his father while he navigates these obstacles.
Arne is aware that success may not always come quickly or easily but remains committed to finding effective solutions on behalf of Liverpool Football Club.
Despite facing criticism even within his family circle, Arne Slot continues undeterred on his path towards success with Liverpool. His unique approach may not please everyone - including those closest to him - but it has undeniably brought Liverpool to the forefront of both domestic and European football. As he prepares for future challenges, Arne remains focused on his strategy, even as he acknowledges the need for patience from fans and critics alike.
