Liverpool trio trigger concern as Arne Slot’s long-term prospects shrink
Liverpool drew 1-1 with Brentford at Anfield on the final day of the Premier League season to secure Champions League qualification, but the actions of Arne Slot, Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones sparked debate
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot remained on the bench as players undertook a lap of honour(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Sections of Liverpool’s fanbase have voiced their displeasure following the behaviour of Arne Slot, Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones on Sunday. The Reds concluded a lacklustre campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against Brentford at Anfield.
Jones netted the solitary strike for Liverpool, while Kevin Schade found the net for the Bees. The result was sufficient for the hosts to clinch fifth spot and Champions League qualification. However, the match was significant for marking the final outings of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. The Reds’ season has been plagued by doubt, with Arne Slot also facing immense scrutiny after a woeful title defence following his triumphant debut campaign.
The long-term prospects of numerous players have also remained uncertain. Such instability has escalated, with Slot and Van Dijk’s conduct following the Brentford encounter, alongside Jones’ gesture during the match, sparking controversy on social media and alarm amongst supporters, reports the Mirror.
Certain fans criticised Slot’s choice to remain seated on the bench while Salah and Robertson participated in their farewell ceremonies before the Anfield faithful.
As the pair completed a lap of honour alongside the remainder of the squad, Slot remained on the bench, observing. The Dutch manager was slated on social media for supposedly deepening the divide between the coach and Anfield, which has widened throughout a turbulent season. One supporter posted on X: “Arne Slot sits away and does not join in Salah and Robbo’s goodbyes with the Anfield crowd. Disconnect from the fans as always.”
Nevertheless, he had his supporters as well. One fan commented: “He’s letting the players, particularly the ones leaving to rightly have the limelight,” while another added: “I’d like to think he just didn’t want to draw negative attention by him being there and detract from other’s farewells.”
Slot heaped praise on how the supporters managed the end-of-season departures of the iconic pair, stating: “It was brilliant, as always you can expect from our fans.
“They completely got what they deserved, two legends that in the last nine years won nine trophies over here. For them it must have been a special day, a difficult day probably as well, and the fans made it special for them.
“I’ve said many times this club knows how to celebrate a league title, this club knows how to handle tragedies, and it definitely knows how to celebrate these two players.”
The Reds’ skipper appeared dejected following the Brentford stalemate, remaining on the Anfield pitch for approximately 20 minutes with a distant expression that hardly suggested everything is rosy at Liverpool.
The Dutch stalwart has regularly made his supporters aware of his thoughts on his team’s disappointing campaign this year. “That’s the only positive [qualifying for the Champions League],” he said after the game. “The bare minimum that we should try and get out of this poor season. Onwards and upwards so we keep going. It’s been the most challenging year of my career. It’s tough to take, tough to go through that as a team.”
Van Dijk’s conduct appeared to concern some supporters that his actions might signal deeper problems at the club as Liverpool enter a crucial season.
Yet, with Salah and Robertson now departed and Alisson rumoured to be considering an exit from the club, the Dutch centre-back was perhaps simply pausing to contemplate all he and his teammates have accomplished together over the past nine years.
Jones has been rumoured to be seeking a departure from Liverpool this summer. His restrained reaction after netting Liverpool’s opener against Brentford left some fans anxious that this might be the Toxteth-born talent’s final bow for his beloved club.
Nevertheless, an alternative explanation is that Jones suspected Salah was in an offside position when he delivered the assist for the goal and he held back his celebration because he anticipated it would be ruled out.
Speaking following the Brentford match, Jones appeared to suggest that his destiny remains at Anfield. “It’s important that we got in the Champions League,” he said.
“Next year will be exciting again, the lads that we’ve obviously bought have now played enough games that they feel that they’re a part of this as well. We’ll see the best of them. I’m excited, and next season it should be great.”
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