Arne Slot: 'Being eliminated from the Champions League helped Liverpool win the Premier League'

Arne Slot argues that being knocked out early from European tournaments enabled Liverpool to concentrate fully on the national league, which resulted in securing their 20th league championship.

Last season, Liverpool faced PSG in the Champions League round of 16. After two intense matches ending with an aggregate score of 1-1, The Reds were eliminated following a 1-4 penalty shootout defeat at Anfield. Although it was a major shock, a game Slot once described as “the best match I have ever been part of,” he now considers it a pivotal turning point.

Before the match against Qarabag, Slot told the press: “This may not be a popular opinion, but perhaps the reason we won the league last season was because we faced Paris Saint-Germain. After being knocked out of the Champions League, we had a whole week to prepare for Premier League matches.”

This statement immediately angered many Liverpool fans for various reasons. Numerous supporters publicly criticized coach Arne Slot on social media. User @tdavid22_ wrote: “We played terribly in the league after the PSG match. Our title was due to the first half of the season, not that game.”

@NeilLfc_5 was more harsh: “He’s openly admitting he can’t manage multiple competitions simultaneously. And yet some still defend him? It’s shameful.”

Meanwhile, @YNWA1980 expressed disappointment and even called for Slot’s dismissal: “Didn’t we lead by 14 points at one stage? PSG, low block tactics, and only 2 titles in 30 years. Slot keeps repeating himself. Five wins since September. It’s time for him to go.”

Last summer, Liverpool spent up to £446 million on transfers, raising expectations for another championship. However, expensive signings like Alexander Isak (£125 million), Florian Wirtz (£116 million), and Hugo Ekitike (£79 million) have so far delivered inconsistent performances.

Additionally, Mohamed Salah’s future has become a major distraction. Although he renewed his contract in April 2025, committing until 2027, rumors persist about interest from the Saudi Pro League. Notably, Salah himself admitted he “has no relationship” with Arne Slot.

Despite difficulties defending the Premier League title, Liverpool have shown a positive side in the Champions League. Under Slot’s two seasons, the team achieved a 76.5% win rate in the league phase, winning 13 out of 17 matches—a remarkable figure compared to their domestic form.