There’s a bit of a wobble in the conversation around Liverpool at the minute, and it’s not all about what happens on the pitch. A lot of it is about control. Who decides transfers, who gets the final say, and how much of it is actually down to Arne Slot in the first place.
Slot has already hinted he’s not the one with the keys to every deal, and to be fair, that’s hardly unusual at top clubs now. You can call it modern football, you can call it sensible structure, but the reality is most managers don’t get to just point at a player and make it happen. They’ll have influence, sure. Final sign-off is another thing entirely.
Who’s driving the recruitment?
The Edwards point is important, because it feeds into the wider sense that Liverpool are trying to be a club with a plan, rather than a club that changes direction every time the manager fancies a different type of midfielder. The rumour side of it is what it is, but the idea itself makes sense: recruitment led by the football department, with the head coach fitting into that system rather than dominating it.
And if that’s the model, then Slot’s job becomes clearer. Coach the squad, improve what’s already here, set standards, and make the team coherent. Transfers help, but they aren’t the only lever.
Judging Slot needs context
People love a quick verdict, but a P45 shout because we’re in fifth would be wild. If Liverpool finish around there, it’s not where anyone wants to be long-term, but it’s also not automatically a disaster. It depends what the season has looked like, what kind of football we’re playing, and whether the direction is right.
Truth is, stability matters. Constant churn doesn’t build title sides. If the club have chosen Slot, you’d expect them to give him time unless things properly fall off a cliff.
Why City change the maths
Then there’s the other part of it: the market. If City decide they want the same player, your confidence naturally takes a hit. Over the last decade they’ve been the league’s dominant force, they’ve got huge resources, and they’ve got Pep Guardiola. That’s a tough pitch to beat, even if you’re Liverpool.
It’s not even about panic, it’s just realism. If we were flying and everything felt rosy, you’d fancy our chances more. When we’ve had recent issues and we’re not exactly purring, it’s easier for a player to look elsewhere. Fingers crossed until deadlines, but you can see why heads drop a bit when City enter the chat.
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