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.
There were also question marks over whether the players truly believed in Slot’s methods.
One club source, who was also at Liverpool 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.”
The departure of veterans Salah, Andy Robertson and now Ibrahima Konate is telling too.
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
For that alone, he will be a part of Liverpool’s illustrious history.
Questions must also be asked about Liverpool’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 supporters.
Alonso, of course, joined Chelsea as manager on a four-year deal.
The understanding is that FSG initially backed Slot next season to rebuild the supporter faith that has waned considerably during last season’s struggles.
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.
It was a decision made with enormous reluctance with Slot becoming the first Liverpool manager to be sacked despite winning the league – Kenny Dalglish was sacked in 2011-12 but that was his second stint as Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola – who was appointed by Hughes at Bournemouth – is the leading candidate and contact has already been made.
For Slot, there is no bad blood with Liverpool 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 win the title and one where they qualify for the Champions League – then he would be hailed as a genius.
But modern day football is brutal and Liverpool have acted in a manner that is not usual with their tradition. This is a club firmly in transition and sadly for Slot, Liverpool want a new man to manage that transition.