Footem.in – Liverpool‘s decision to appoint Arne Slot instead of Ruben Amorim as Jurgen Klopp’s successor in early 2024 is looking increasingly justified as the two coaches’ paths diverge in English football.
Slot secured the Premier League title in his first season, while Amorim faced challenges at Manchester United.
When Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool, Amorim was considered. However, the club felt that his rigid playing style did not match the squad’s inherited from Klopp.
Liverpool also hesitated due to a hefty release clause of nearly Rp 220 billion and media reports that prematurely suggested their interest in Amorim.
According to ESPN and The Athletic, Liverpool assessed that Amorim’s 3-4-3 tactics would be difficult to implement within a team accustomed to a four-defender setup.
In contrast, Slot was seen as a better fit, successfully employing a 4-2-4 formation at Feyenoord. The more reasonable costs and tactical flexibility ultimately led Liverpool to choose the Dutch coach.
Meanwhile, Manchester United, which parted ways with Erik ten Hag in November 2024, opted to sign Amorim, believing his successful track record at Sporting, including two Primeira Liga titles in 2022 and 2024, could bring a fresh outlook.
Amorim’s Struggles at Old Trafford
The reality has far exceeded expectations. In 45 matches with United, Amorim managed just 16 wins, around 35.6%. This is significantly less than his 71% win rate in Portugal, and lower than Ten Hag’s 56% at United before his dismissal.
The defensive problems did not end there; United conceded 44 goals during his tenure. Issues in the backline were compounded by inconsistency from Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
Tension with senior players like Marcus Rashford—currently on loan at Barcelona—and Alejandro Garnacho has added to the pressure.
Despite substantial financial backing for Amorim’s project, bringing in players like Patrick Dorgu (Rp 635 billion), Matheus Cunha (Rp 1.37 trillion), Bryan Mbeumo (Rp 1.55 trillion), and Benjamin Sesko (Rp 1.62 trillion), the on-field performance has not met expectations.
Last season, United finished 15th in the Premier League and lost in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. The current season hasn’t started much better, with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal and a 1-1 draw against Fulham.
The tipping point came when they were eliminated from the EFL Cup after a penalty shootout loss to fourth-tier Grimsby Town, following a 2-2 tie at the end of normal time.
While Liverpool is cruising with Slot, United faces immense pressure to secure their first win of the season. Their upcoming home game against Burnley is viewed as a critical test before facing Manchester City following the international break.
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