Liverpool players have expressed their gratitude to Arne Slot after he was dismissed as head coach, nearly two years into his tenure. Captain Virgil van Dijk led the tributes, with several first-team players following suit on social media.
Slot guided Liverpool to their second Premier League title in his debut season, but a dramatic slump in form during the subsequent campaign saw the team suffer 20 defeats across all competitions. The club's hierarchy decided to part ways with the Dutchman less than a week after the season ended.
Teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha, who was handed his first-team debut by Slot, posted on Instagram: 'Thank you Gaffer.' Summer recruits Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong also offered their thanks, with Ekitike saying: 'Thank you for everything that you taught me and for the time you gave me both on and off the pitch. I wish you all the very best coach.'
Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, currently on World Cup duty, said: 'Thank you for everything, coach! Lifting the Premier League trophy together was an incredible achievement and a moment I'll never forget.' Curtis Jones added: 'Thank you & all the best for the future. Respect you as a man for what you gave our club.'
Slot's exit reportedly caught many off guard, with former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola understood to be the leading candidate to replace him. Slot had secured Champions League qualification for the coming season and reflected on his limitations, saying: 'I haven't been perfect, but all the decisions I've made throughout the whole season has been only with one idea, and that's being very well prepared.'
