Liverpool players are growing tired of Arne Slot’s ‘awful’ style of football – Opinion | OneFootball

Are Liverpool Players Still Playing For Arne Slot?

On Anfield Index’s Media Matters, Dave Davis and David Lynch discussed one of the more uncomfortable themes from Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield, whether the players are still fully behind Arne Slot, or whether they are simply sick of the football they are being asked to play.

Davis pointed to what could be seen inside the stadium, saying there were “so many little squabbles” between players. He mentioned “Jones and Konate, Jones and Szoboszlai, Konate and Van Dijk” as examples of Liverpool players “shouting at each other, pointing at each other, blaming each other.”

That mattered because it suggested frustration was not limited to the stands. Liverpool fans were angry, but the players looked irritated too.

Lynch says players have not downed tools

Lynch was careful not to accuse the Liverpool squad of giving up on Slot. In fact, he offered them credit. “I give credit to these players because I think they are continually trying for the manager,” he said.

That was an important distinction. Lynch did not say Liverpool players had stopped running, stopped caring or stopped playing for Arne Slot. He added: “I don’t think outside of that kind of last twenty minutes against Man City, I don’t think they’ve downed tools at any point.”

So, the criticism was not about effort. It was about whether the players are being placed in a structure that allows them to look like themselves.

Slot’s football appears to be wearing on players

Lynch’s strongest point was about the emotional and tactical drain of playing in a side that keeps struggling. “No one likes playing in a team that’s rubbish,” he said.

He then made it more specific to Liverpool’s season: “They’ve done it now for fifty-odd games this season.” Even when Liverpool have won, Lynch argued that they have “not had a structure that’s allowed them to play well.”

That line goes to the heart of the issue. The players may still be playing for Slot, but Lynch suggested they must be frustrated by the style and the lack of control in games.

He said Liverpool have “not consistently dominated an opponent in a way that is enjoyable for the entirety of the season.” That is a significant criticism of the football under Slot, not of the players’ desire.

Photo: IMAGO

Doubts grow over belief in direction

Lynch asked whether the players would be “absolutely delighted” to return next season and “play this sort of football again.” His answer was telling: “Do they believe that it’s going to win again? I struggle to believe that.”

That does not mean the dressing room has turned completely. It means the football is creating doubt. Lynch’s view was that Liverpool have “better players than to be getting dominated in this way every week” or only playing well “for half an hour max.”

So the answer from the podcast was nuanced. Liverpool players have not downed tools, and Lynch believes they are still trying for Arne Slot. But their arguments, frustration and lack of joy in the system suggest a squad growing tired of football that is, in Lynch’s words, “just awful.”