Kenny Dalglish has some kind words for Liverpool manager Arne Slot, but he is not impressed with the way the Dutchman’s side have performed so far this season.
Liverpool were already under intense scrutiny whilst winning every week. Pundits and fans alike drew comparisons between now and last season and were critical of the club’s performances.
These displays are beginning to prove costly as Liverpool have been defeated three games in a row, by Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea respectively.
Despite this, the legendary Reds player and manager Kenny Dalglish has been complimentary of Arne Slot. Gary Neville asked the ex-Scotland international if he agreed that Slot had been flawless at Liverpool and Dalglish had no doubts about his answer.
He told the Stick to Football podcast: “Yeah, different to Jurgen [Klopp] right. Jurgen had his way, Arne has his. And I think it was brilliant what Jurgen did in his last game when he started singing Arne Slot. It was brilliant, so it was like Jurgen gave him the all clear to go ahead. But he is a really good man.”
However, Dalglish does have a problem with the way Slot’s Liverpool team are playing at this point in time.
“I don’t think this team that we’ve got at the moment is at its best,” he continued. “I think they’ve got a couple of months to go and then you’ll see them.”
Although Dalglish has his concerns about the here and now, he is confident Liverpool will get over their current rough patch and will be helped by their £116m signing Florian Wirtz.
He added: “I think the wee fella Wirtz is very, very clever boy. Football wise he just needs to get on same planes with the one in front of him.
“They are entertaining to watch but wouldn’t be so much winning as entertaining. I think the winning would be more important than the entertaining and by the way we’ve had a couple of scares this year, although we’ve come out on the right side of it.”
Dalglish revealed on the same podcast that he thought Wirtz could open a can of soup with a football and he encouraged him to keep doing what he is doing. This is in striking contrast to Jamie Carragher who called for Wirtz to be dropped by Liverpool.
For Liverpool fans, Dalglish’s message is both reassuring and cautionary. The legendary forward and manager recognises the club’s potential but reminds supporters that even with world-class talent and ambitious management, adaptation takes time. In a season where results are already being questioned, Dalglish’s faith in Slot and Wirtz offers a glimmer of optimism amid a challenging start.
