Liverpool’s draw with a dramatically poor Chelsea side took place in an unusual atmosphere at Anfield, with supporters seemingly resigned to Arne Slott’s continued role as manager.
Arne Slott booed by Liverpool fans (Image: Getty Images)
Anfield may have witnessed a football first. The £125m striker took to the field to the sound of jeers in his ears.
But they were not for Alexander Isaac, but for Arne Slott. Wearing a dark T-shirt and white-soled sneakers, the Liverpool manager looked ready for Ibiza. I’m sure he can’t wait to get there.
And clearly a significant number of Liverpool supporters want him to take a long break. That’s surprisingly tough considering what he did for the club last season.
And Slott later explained the very good reason behind the substitution, which caused as loud boos as those heard at Anfield this season.
He said Rio Ngmoha was suffering from convulsions and suggested that Rio Ngmoha had hinted that he needed to take off his clothes. Slott said he had no choice but to choose Ngmoha to replace Isak as he could no longer sprint.
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But even if supporters knew those reasons, they probably would have jeered. It was a vocal symbol of being fed up with what they see so often.
The boos when Craig Pawson called time weren’t as loud, but they were still significant.
Liverpool will still be playing in the Champions League next season, but this can’t end soon enough for Slott. The fundamental problem with the Dutchman is, at best, a growing apathy towards his tenure. The general feeling among the fan base seems to be resignation that he will have another season.
There was no sense of rebellion or anger when things went wrong for the home team in this low-quality game. Just giving up, getting used to the shortcomings of this Liverpool side.
Anger flared further when 17-year-old Ngmoha, perhaps Liverpool’s brightest star, was left out. Before that there was apathy. And when talk of de-escalating the situation comes up, there is a collective shrug.
Rio Ngmoja’s replacement went horribly wrong
Here, Liverpool were without the poor Florian Wirtz, and to be honest, the German midfielder’s first season as a £116m footballer was far from a huge success.
For many reasons out of their control, Liverpool’s big-money collection of signings last summer included an almost forgettable first campaign. Just to be clear, the same goes for Chelsea’s recruitment, although their recent problems seem to be more related to attitude than quality.
And for a while at Anfield, that lackadaisical approach was painfully evident. Liverpool’s first goal was a decent shot and keeper Philipp Jorgensen could have done a little better, but Ryan Gravenbirch fired a shot off the pace.
However, his reluctance to get involved with assister Ngumoha and scorer was surprising. Maro Gusto’s surname has rarely seemed so inappropriate.
Anfield sign Arne Slott (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Considering the quality of their team, it is almost inexplicable that Chelsea are doing so badly in the Premier League. And it has to come to application. If handled properly, it will suit most people.
In the second quarter of this game, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandes and Cole Palmer dominated and overwhelmed Liverpool.
And such a talented trio should exercise authority. Chelsea should have taken advantage of the equalizer, which came from an Enzo Fernandes free-kick that Wesley Fofana appeared to claim had been touched, but Palmer’s shot was ruled out for VAR offside.
Chelsea have been unstable, but that setback seems to have deflated them, allowing Liverpool to regain their competitiveness.
As quickly as it appeared, their enthusiasm for the contest faded. Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk’s attempts to restore Liverpool’s lead were only denied by the frame of the goal.
Liverpool were still lucky that VAR found nothing wrong with Jeremy Frimpong’s clumsy second-half penalty area challenge on Joao Pedro. But that didn’t stop the jeers. For slots, Ibiza can’t come sooner.
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