Andoni Iraola to Liverpool: Arne Slot replacement is a risk but Dutch coach did not have the answers to their problems

Arne Slot's position as Liverpool head coach was untenable. The decision-makers at Anfield took a little longer than the supporters to realise that, but in the end it became clear that they could not risk disrupting next season with an autumn sacking.

Liverpool's lowest points total for a decade did not undo the achievement of winning the Premier League title in his first season. But it did undermine the argument that he was the best man to oversee the ongoing overhaul. Fans demanded a different direction.

Turning to Andoni Iraola would be a deliberate attempt to alter the mood and approach. Liverpool's statement makes that clear. "The conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team's trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction."

There can be no regret over appointing Slot in the first place. That title win in 2025 is proof that he was the right man for that moment. His subtle changes maximised what Jurgen Klopp had left behind. Ironically, in hindsight, he also helped get more from Mohamed Salah.

Any fair analysis of Slot's time at Liverpool must acknowledge the hand that he was dealt too. Yes, he inherited a talented team from Klopp but the past 12 months has been fraught with challenges. The tragic loss of Diogo Jota last summer cast a long shadow.

More generally, the vast summer spending caused greater upheaval than had been anticipated. Alexander Isak never got going and Florian Wirtz did not have the expected impact, meaning Luis Diaz was sorely missed. And then there was the whole Salah saga.

While Liverpool fans will never view Salah as a problem, he undoubtedly was for Slot. The Egyptian could not continue forever. In a sense, Slot had the misfortune to be the coach in position as Salah declined - even if Salah himself feels Slot exacerbated it.

But Slot's utter inability to address any of the on-pitch issues damned him. Whether it was facing set-pieces or low blocks, he never could solve the problems - only describe them. As a result, press conferences he would call honest felt like long lists of excuses.