Liverpool Players Blamed In Slot Dismissal: Accountability And Squad Dynamics Under Scrutiny

Jamie Redknapp has suggested Liverpool’s squad share responsibility for Arne Slot’s dismissal, after the club ended Slot’s two-year spell in charge on Saturday. Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024-25, yet a drop to fifth place in 2025-26, plus a large points fall, led to Liverpool acting.

Redknapp pointed towards Liverpool’s midfield as a key factor in the decline and highlighted players who starred in the title season. The former Liverpool midfielder focused on Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, arguing that several established names did not match previous levels across the 2025-26 campaign.

Redknapp did not spare Liverpool’s senior figures when assessing the setback. "A lot of players will be quick to blame Arne Slot, but if they look in the mirror this year... Alexis Mac Allister, for example, hasn't been good enough, Redknapp told Sky Sports. Gravenberch was elite last season, has he been good enough? No. Too many players haven't been good enough."

Liverpool’s regression from champions to fifth place was also reflected in results across all competitions. Slot’s team lost 19 matches in 2025-26. Since promotion back to the top flight in 1962, Liverpool have only recorded more defeats in a single season once, in 1992-93, and matched 19 losses in 2004-05 and 2009-10.

The statistics underline the extent of Liverpool’s fall between their title defence and Slot’s final year. Their points total dropped sharply and created an unwanted Premier League record for an ever-present club over two consecutive seasons, adding further scrutiny to both the Liverpool squad and Arne Slot.

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Across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Premier League seasons, Liverpool’s record shows the scale of that swing in form and output.

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While Slot has departed, attention has already turned to the structure of the Liverpool squad and Arne Slot’s potential successor. Reports state Andoni Iraola is the leading option for Anfield. Iraola left Bournemouth after guiding the club to Europa League qualification in 2025-26 and is currently available.

Several high-profile signings added before 2025-26 are central to debates about the Liverpool squad and Arne Slot’s mixed second season. Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial 107m (rising to 125m). The Germany international produced seven goals and eight assists, giving 15 direct goal contributions in 49 appearances in all competitions.

Hugo Ekitike impressed early in the season and was viewed as Liverpool’s standout summer arrival before suffering a serious Achilles injury. Record signing Alexander Isak also endured a disrupted campaign after breaking a leg, limiting impact. Jeremie Frimpong had difficulties settling, while Milos Kerkez improved gradually after a slow start, having previously shown progress under Iraola at Bournemouth.

Redknapp believes those players, plus returning stars, will shape any rebuild for the Liverpool squad and Arne Slot’s successor. "For Iraola, going into that squad, he will be licking his lips, Redknapp added. He's got Alexander Isak to get fit, and there are a couple of little dilemmas and question marks about how he's going to fit players into that team. There are some injuries there as well. Ekitike is out injured but when he comes back, how does he fit into the team with Gravenberch? How does he get the best out of Wirtz? That's going to be fascinating because, watching Bournemouth, you have to run in that midfield. You cannot have luxury players, and I'm a big fan of Wirtz, but it'll be fascinating how he fits into the team and make sure everyone works together. There are a lot of question marks in this squad. They're going to need thickening up, and it needs a bit more pace. Liverpool too many times last season were out-run."

Redknapp’s comments leave a clear message for the Liverpool squad and Arne Slot’s possible replacement. Liverpool’s failure to match their 2024-25 standards was not only about coaching change but also performances across the squad, and any new manager must solve fitness, intensity and integration issues to restore consistent title-level form.