Arne Slott believes his style of play and entertaining fans are “worth more” than winning trophies at Liverpool in the long run.
Slott got off to a great start at Anfield by winning the Premier League title in his first year in charge, but he has not been able to repeat the same success this term and Liverpool currently sit sixth in the table, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal.
The Reds spent £450m to strengthen their title-winning side in the summer, but a disappointing campaign so far means their chances of winning silver this term now lie with the FA Cup or Champions League.
Liverpool take on Manchester City this Sunday, live on Sky Sports, in their next chance to showcase Slott’s long-term vision of the ‘best’ possible football at Anfield.
“As a manager you can win the league, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, but the biggest thing about winning is being able to watch and play the best football,” Slott said on the Reds Roundtable podcast. The program can be viewed in full on Liverpool’s YouTube channel.
“That said, fans might argue a little bit at the moment, but that’s definitely what I’m aiming for.
“I always want to have the ball, I want to throw the ball hard and I want the fans to like what they see.
“Not all of our fans think it’s fun to watch and the most difficult thing, I understand, is to agree with them.
“Trophies are one thing, but being a team, club or manager that represents good football is worth even more in the long run.”
Sunday, February 8th 4pm
4:30pm kickoff
O’Hara: If Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League, they will have to give up their spots
Despite spending £450m in the summer, Liverpool found their hopes of back-to-back league titles thwarted and are currently battling to qualify for Europe’s elite competition in fifth place, one point behind Chelsea and fourth, two points behind Manchester United.
Jamie O’Hara believes Slott’s future at the club will be at risk if Liverpool miss out on Champions League qualification.
O’Hara told Sky Sports News: “I think he’s under pressure. If we can’t get into the Champions League then Arne Slott has to go.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie O’Hara responded to Arne Slott’s comment that good football is more important than trophies, claiming Liverpool haven’t achieved good football or trophies.
Regarding Slott’s comments about style of play being more important than winning trophies, O’Hara added: “Absolutely not. I don’t know what he’s thinking. It’s all about winning trophies.”
“You can’t win trophies by playing bad football. I don’t know what he’s thinking.
“He talks about his team playing good football, but that’s not really the case. It’s boring to watch, but the team understands that.”
“If you talk about good football, tell me Jurgen Klopp. That was rock’n’roll football and they won trophies!”
Arne Slott before Liverpool’s Premier League defeat to Bournemouth
Carla: Slott’s job is in jeopardy if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League
Jamie Carragher echoed O’Hara’s comments about Slott’s future if the club misses out on next season’s Champions League.
“If you won the league last season and spent as much money as Liverpool and you don’t qualify for the Champions League, I don’t think you have any legs to stand on,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool manager Arn Slott could qualify or go bankrupt if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
“What really worries me about Liverpool in terms of Champions League qualification is the three big things that stand out in the current Premier League: set-pieces, counter-attacking football and playing against low blocks.
“Liverpool can’t deal with any of them. What we’re looking at is a Premier League team that’s not fit for the Premier League.”
“When you start looking at Manchester United and Chelsea’s performance in recent weeks, you start to see that Liverpool could actually finish outside of the Champions League. I’m really worried about them.”
“When you start worrying about qualifying for the Champions League next season, that’s when you think there’s a completely different proposition when you’re talking about the manager’s job. That’s completely different for me.”
“If you’re talking about not winning the league, not being able to challenge for the league, it’s collective responsibility and Liverpool can’t win the league every year.
“Going from being champions to not being in the Champions League, spending £450m and having the highest wage bill in the Premier League, which is usually the biggest factor in determining where you sit in the league, I think you have serious doubts.”
