Liverpool find themselves in a ‘dangerous position’ in Arne Slot’s tenure, with some fans wanting Jurgen Klopp to return, warns a Reds icon
Liverpool find themselves in a ‘dangerous position’ in Arne Slot’s tenure, warns Reds icon Emile Heskey.
After winning the Premier League in his debut campaign at Anfield, Slot’s second season has been a nightmare, despite the Reds winning their opening five league games. Since then, Liverpool have lost five of their last six matches.
Their wretched form has reportedly seen contract discussions with Slot put on ice as speculation about the Dutchman’s future grows to a level that was unthinkable just one month ago.
Unsurprisingly, Jurgen Klopp has been touted for an Anfield return by some Liverpool fans, and Heskey, who scored 60 goals in 223 games for the Reds, believes Klopp must be finding it hard watching Liverpool’s current calamitous form.
Speaking to 10bet Casino, Heskey said: “For a manager who did what he did for Liverpool, it will be difficult for him watching them in this form.
“To pull them out of the mess they were in, and then to leave them in the position that he did, Klopp will always be linked with a return, especially when he’s left the door open.
“It’s an interesting one, isn’t it? If you’re a Liverpool fan, you will always feel allied to him and you will always want him back to emulate what he did before, but how often does that happen?
“There’s Moyes at Everton, but it’s not quite the same. The pressure is different. The expectations are different.
“Moyesy has done fantastic, and he’s done fantastic in his whole career. He’s come back from West Ham where he won the Conference League, but now he’s back there’s an expectation that he will do similar stuff at Everton. Especially with the backing, the new stadium, and all the rest.
“The expectation would be totally different at Liverpool, and it’s rare that anything on that level could be repeated if Jurgen even came back in.
“There’s Mourinho at Chelsea, so it can be done, but it’s few and far between when managers return to their former clubs and pick up as if they never left.
“If it could be done, I’m guessing that Jurgen could be the one to do it, although I definitely don’t want Slot to go yet.”
Heskey also warned that Liverpool aren’t being seen as the same threat they were last season, or even under the German. He added: “Defensively they are in trouble. Organisation at the back is wanting. That was one of the key things. They used to be so good at that, it was a huge strength.
“Looking back at the United game, the Mbeumo goal, people were running off their markers and others weren’t picking them up. Runs off the ball were not getting tracked. Players are pointing fingers at others to do their jobs. That’s why I think the organisation is lacking.
“In defence, in midfield, we need people commanding and offering instructions, and that’s gone missing. It’s not there anymore. I don’t know why, but it’s missing.
“Teams used to play Liverpool and be scared, but now they think they can get something. Not just a draw, but a win. People believe they can get at them, and that’s quite dangerous.”