‘Hire and fire club’ – Liverpool accused of abandoning ‘tradition’ and throwing Slot ‘overboard’

Liverpool have been accused of abandoning their ‘tradition’ and throwing Arne Slot ‘overboard’ with their decision to part company with the 47-year-old on Saturday.

The Dutchman has paid the price for a hugely disappointing second season at Anfield in which the Reds – who began the campaign as Premier League champions and favourites to retain the title – just about salvaged Champions League qualification with a stuttering fifth-place finish.

Although there has been widespread calls for FSG to make a change in the dugout, one outspoken columnist from Slot’s homeland has brandished the Merseysiders a ‘hire and fire club’ after yesterday’s seismic news.

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In an article for De Telegraaf , Marcel van der Kraan wrote (translated from Dutch): ‘ The irony in the dismissal of Arne Slot as coach of Liverpool lies in the constant preaching to the outside world about the standards and values of a traditional club . At Anfield , the home of Liverpool FC , everything goes according to tradition .

‘There is a culture where the style of the club should rise above everything else, b ut that style and culture has been thrown overboard in one fell swoop with the forced departure of the Dutch coach and his entire entourage.’

He added: ‘No trophy in the second year ? Then you are not good enough in the eyes of the fans , you get tons of criticism from your own supporters , it explodes on social media and the club does not dare to continue . Liverpool , like other billion – dollar clubs in the Premier League , has become a ‘ hire and fire club ‘ .

‘Liverpool won the Premier League under Slot in the first season to the total surprise of everyone . In nine seasons before that , Klopp managed to do so only once . But lo and behold , a year later he is on the street .’