Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has pointed to an unexpected source for Liverpool's dramatic dip in form, suggesting the team's troubles began with head coach Arne Slot's celebratory trip to Ibiza last season.
The Ibiza Celebration That Sparked Controversy
After Liverpool secured the Premier League title in April, a video surfaced on social media showing Arne Slot partying at Wayne Lineker's O Beach club on the Spanish party island. The 47-year-old Dutch coach was captured sipping a drink from the DJ booth, with dancers holding up cards spelling out 'Champions!' to the tune of Queen's 'We are the Champions'.
Scholes discussed the incident on his podcast, 'The Good, The Bad, and The Football', with ex-United teammate Nicky Butt. 'I think this started towards the end of last season,' Scholes stated. 'The bad form started, they went away, went to Ibiza or something. Honestly, Arne Slot was DJing. But that's before the season's done, that's what I mean. I think that's disrespectful, I think it's classless.'
During his time at the notorious beach haunt, Slot rubbed shoulders with Eastenders star Dean Gaffney and enthusiastically sang along to football favourite 'Freed From Desire'. Meanwhile, members of his squad travelled to Dubai for their own celebrations.
A Stark Decline in Form
The post-title celebrations were swiftly followed by a dip in performance. With little left to play for, Liverpool lost against Brighton and drew with Crystal Palace on the final day of the season before lifting the trophy at Anfield.
This season, the problems have intensified significantly. Liverpool are currently experiencing a torrid run, with eight defeats in their last 11 outings across all competitions. The situation hit a new low on Sunday when they were thumped 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield, a result that marked the first time since 1963 that Forest have recorded back-to-back wins at the ground.
Slot Takes Responsibility Amid Growing Pressure
Following the dismal defeat to a formerly relegation-threatened Forest, Slot was quick to accept blame for the team's poor form. The loss leaves Liverpool languishing in 12th place in the Premier League standings.
'I want to emphasise I am responsible for the current losses,' Slot said after the final whistle. 'You are responsible when you are winning but also responsible when you are losing. I can never come up with enough excuses for us to have the results we have. That is far from good enough and I am responsible for that.'
As Scholes' theory gains traction, the Dutch manager faces the considerable challenge of reversing the rot and restoring the champion mentality that seemingly vanished after that fateful trip to the Balearics.
