A commanding 6-0 victory over Qarabag ought to have been a second of celebration for Liverpool, securing their passage to the Champions League play-offs in model.
As an alternative, the temper at Anfield has turned poisonous after supervisor Arne Slot delivered a post-match interview that many supporters have interpreted as a veiled jab at his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.
Regardless of the dominant scoreline, the narrative has shortly shifted from the gamers’ efficiency to the supervisor’s mouth.
Slot, at the moment underneath strain resulting from a stuttering home marketing campaign, seemingly tried to defend his report by drawing an unflattering comparability to the membership’s current previous.
Arne Slot seems to take jab at Jurgen Klopp
Chatting with BeinSports after the sport, Slot appeared to downplay the achievements of the earlier regime whereas highlighting his personal European consistency.
“It’s excellent as a result of it was solely two years in the past once we as a membership performed within the Europa League and went out within the quarter-final towards Atalanta,” Slot stated, referencing Klopp’s tough remaining season in cost.
“Now two years in a row, final 16 and we’re hungry for extra so good to be there once more, even within the season the place we’re battling a couple of gamers injured…”
?? „We’re hungry for extra… There’s nonetheless loads to play for to make this season particular.“
Arne Slot speaks to @AndyKerrtv after Liverpool’s 6-0 victory over Qarabag!#beINUCL #LFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/lenYQJAs5R
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 28, 2026
The remark struck a nerve. Whereas factually correct, Liverpool did exit the Europa League to Atalanta in 2024, followers have taken concern with the tone.
To many, citing the bottom level of Klopp’s farewell tour to raise his personal standing felt pointless and ungracious, particularly given Klopp’s legendary standing on the membership.
Slot’s current feedback haven’t gone down properly with followers
This newest incident is a part of a rising sample of friction between the Dutchman and the Anfield devoted.
Endurance was already sporting skinny following Slot’s controversial declare final week that Liverpool “have solely gained the league twice in 30 years.”
Whereas supposed to handle expectations, the comment was extensively considered as belittling the membership’s stature.
And forward of the Qarabag sport, Slot urged that his debut Premier League title win final season was as a result of they misplaced to PSG within the Champions League Spherical of 16, giving them a lighter schedule than their rivals.
Arne Slot says possibly the explanation why Liverpool gained the league final season is that they needed to face PSG within the UCL and had been knocked out ? pic.twitter.com/usnhRnhK66
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) January 27, 2026
The feedback even prompted membership legend Steven Gerrard to publicly dismiss the supervisor’s weird declare.
For a fanbase that prides itself on historical past and reverence for its legends, Slot’s pragmatic, virtually indifferent evaluation is more and more being learn as disrespect.
Successful 6-0 is often a cure-all, but when Slot continues to battle battles together with his personal membership’s historical past, he might discover that even victories aren’t sufficient to maintain the peace.
