Arne Slot’s dream start at Liverpool is beginning to unravel — and now, one of football’s most respected icons has stepped in with a brutal truth bomb.
Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has openly questioned the Liverpool manager’s recent decisions, calling one of them “so strange” and another “not good for the team.” His words cut deep — and for a fanbase that’s already frustrated after another disappointing Premier League defeat, this might just light an even bigger fire under the manager’s seat.
Liverpool’s 3-2 loss to Brentford at the weekend marked their fourth straight defeat in the Premier League — a nightmare run that no one saw coming. After the thrilling win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Europe, fans believed momentum had finally swung back in their favor. But instead, Slot’s men were outplayed, outfought, and outsmarted by Keith Andrews’ inspired Brentford side.
And as the final whistle blew, you could almost feel the anxiety creeping into the air around Anfield.
Pressure Mounts on Arne Slot
Let’s be honest — taking over from Jürgen Klopp was always going to be one of the toughest jobs in football. But even the most patient Liverpool supporters are starting to ask serious questions now.
Slot’s Liverpool sit seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, and miles away from the swaggering, ruthless machine fans have come to expect.
What’s worse, the summer’s big-money signings — names like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak — were supposed to elevate the Reds to another level. Instead, they’ve created more problems than solutions.
And that’s exactly what Ruud Gullit believes is at the heart of the crisis.
Ruud Gullit’s Explosive Criticism
Speaking on Rondo on Ziggo Sport, alongside fellow pundit Youri Mulder, the Dutch legend didn’t hold back when analyzing what’s gone wrong at Liverpool under Slot.
“He explained the opponent’s tactics and explained why his team was struggling,” Gullit said, shaking his head in disbelief.
“I thought that was so strange — you shouldn’t be saying that. You have success and then suddenly you don’t. That’s a learning process for Slot.”
For context — after the Brentford defeat, Slot had openly discussed how Liverpool struggled to adapt to their opponent’s system. But for Gullit, a man who has lifted the European Cup and managed at the top level, such transparency showed weakness, not wisdom.
“When you’re a manager at Liverpool,” he implied, “you protect your players, you don’t expose them or your tactics. You show authority, not uncertainty.”
That single comment, in Gullit’s view, might have said more about Slot’s current mindset than any defeat could.
The Hugo Ekitiké Snub That Sparked Controversy
But Gullit didn’t stop there.
He also raised eyebrows at one of Slot’s most puzzling recent decisions — the sudden dropping of Hugo Ekitiké, who had been in incredible form before being replaced by new arrival Alexander Isak.
“He played really well at the start of the season, but then they suddenly brought in Isak,” Gullit said.
“He probably thought: ‘I’m playing well, so why do I have to leave?’ That’s not good for a team either.”
It’s a comment that hits hard — because it echoes what so many Liverpool fans have been whispering online for weeks.
Ekitiké, a player known for his fearless movement and clinical finishing, started the campaign as Liverpool’s most exciting attacker. His chemistry with Mohamed Salah was electric. His energy lifted the team.
Then, out of nowhere, he was benched.
And as Gullit points out, when a player who’s performing well suddenly loses his spot, it sends a message — not just to that player, but to everyone else in the dressing room. A message that says: performance doesn’t guarantee trust.
That’s a dangerous message for any team, especially one already short on confidence.
Slot’s “Learning Process” — Or Something Deeper?
Gullit tried to soften the blow by calling Slot’s mistakes “a learning process.” But beneath that polite phrasing lies a clear warning: Arne Slot might be out of his depth right now.
In his first few months, Slot brought freshness, discipline, and tactical structure to Liverpool. But now, under pressure, his decisions are starting to look desperate — and even confusing.
Dropping Ekitiké. Over-tinkering with formations. Publicly analyzing opponents instead of defending his own players. These are the signs of a coach trying to find answers — fast.
Liverpool’s locker room reportedly remains calm, but results don’t lie. Four straight defeats, including collapses that once seemed unthinkable, have left the fanbase restless.
And with Arsenal and Manchester City both surging, Slot’s margin for error is getting smaller by the day.
What Happens Next for Liverpool
Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures won’t make things any easier. The Reds face a relentless stretch of matches — domestic league clashes, a tough European schedule, and an increasingly impatient fanbase.
For Slot, this is make-or-break time.
He needs to rediscover the balance that made his Feyenoord side so formidable — the high pressing, the synchronized movement, and the confidence that made his players believe they could beat anyone.
Because right now, Liverpool looks like a team that’s forgotten who they are.
Fans Beginning to Turn
Social media has already erupted with mixed reactions. Some fans still defend Slot, insisting he deserves time to rebuild the squad. Others are losing patience fast.
One frustrated supporter posted:
“We were told this was the new era. Instead, it feels like we’re going backwards.”
Another added:
“Dropping Ekitiké for Isak killed our momentum. Gullit’s right — it’s not good for team chemistry.”
Even those who believe in Slot admit he needs a turnaround now, not later.
The Verdict: Gullit Might Be Right
Ruud Gullit’s words might sting, but there’s truth behind them.
Liverpool’s fall in form isn’t just about tactics — it’s about leadership, confidence, and decisions that have ripple effects across the squad.
When your best striker is benched for no clear reason…
When you publicly admit your opponent outsmarted you…
When your players start looking confused on the pitch…
That’s when questions start becoming louder than excuses.
Arne Slot may still turn it around — he’s a talented, intelligent coach with a clear footballing vision. But as Gullit said, this is his learning process.
And the Premier League is the toughest classroom in the world.
If Slot doesn’t adapt fast, he won’t just lose games — he’ll lose the faith of a fanbase that demands nothing less than greatness.
