\n<\/p>\n
That much was clear as the season went on and when Salah called out Slot’s style of play indirectly in a social media post earlier this month, it was a clear attack on his manager’s leadership.<\/p>\n
There were also question marks over whether the players truly believed in Slot’s methods.<\/p>\n
One club source, who was also at Liverpool<\/a> during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure said: “Arne’s a great person but you always felt he lacked that authority Jurgen had and that became more evident when things weren’t going well on the pitch.”<\/p>\n The departure of veterans Salah, Andy Robertson and now Ibrahima Konate is telling too.<\/p>\n Slot was never going to be Klopp but he won the Premier League title at the first time of asking and deserves immense credit for that<\/p>\n For that alone, he will be a part of Liverpool<\/a>‘s illustrious history.<\/p>\n Questions must also be asked about Liverpool<\/a>‘s hierarchy because, if they had made this decision a few weeks earlier, then one of their own in Xabi Alonso would have been available and such a decision would have had the blessing of plenty of Liverpool<\/a> supporters.<\/p>\n Alonso, of course, joined Chelsea<\/a> as manager on a four-year deal.<\/p>\n The understanding is that FSG initially backed Slot next season to rebuild the supporter faith that has waned considerably during last season’s struggles.<\/p>\n But, as the season concluded, they believed that delaying the decision which looked increasingly inevitable would be unfair on the squad and damaging to preparations for next season.<\/p>\n It was a decision made with enormous reluctance with Slot becoming the first Liverpool<\/a> manager to be sacked despite winning the league – Kenny Dalglish was sacked in 2011-12 but that was his second stint as Liverpool<\/a>.<\/p>\n Andoni Iraola – who was appointed by Hughes at Bournemouth<\/a> – is the leading candidate<\/a> and contact has already been made.<\/p>\n For Slot, there is no bad blood with Liverpool<\/a> but he is of the belief that he has been dealt a tough card with the situation this past season. With perspective, if you were to switch his two seasons around – one where Liverpool<\/a> win the title and one where they qualify for the Champions League – then he would be hailed as a genius.<\/p>\n But modern day football is brutal and Liverpool<\/a> have acted in a manner that is not usual with their tradition. This is a club firmly in transition and sadly for Slot, Liverpool<\/a> want a new man to manage that transition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n