Jurgen Klopp questions Liverpool change under Arne Slot - 'Let me say it like that'

Jurgen Klopp has questioned whether Arne Slot's Liverpool are too offensive and hinted that the Reds might need to be a little more conservative going forward. Klopp, 58, left Liverpool in the summer of 2024 after a hugely successful nine-year stint at Anfield, managing 491 matches and winning seven major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.

He transformed Liverpool's fortunes and turned them into one of the most feared teams in world football, alongside Mikel Arteta's Arsenal and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Slot replaced Klopp for the start of the 2024/25 campaign and the ex-Feyenoord man defied expectations in his maiden season on Merseyside, winning the top-flight title and finishing 10 points clear.

While Liverpool have started their title defence strong, winning five of their opening six matches, performances have flattered to deceive. Indeed, the Reds needed to score late winners to beat Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Burnley, before holding on to scrape past Everton in a tight Merseyside derby.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp makes feelings clear on management return after Liverpool exit and starting new job

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher gives brutal Manchester United Ruben Amorim sack verdict - 'This has to end'

The Reds then lost for the first time this season against Crystal Palace, who scored a stoppage-time winner to come out 2-1 victors, on Saturday, but in truth the Eagles were much the better team at Selhurst Park. At times, Liverpool have looked a little too open and Klopp raised that point in an interview with The Athletic.

He said: "Liverpool is playing a specific (style), so really, really good. Very offensive orientated. Do they take the risk a little bit of being exposed? Different ways to go, let me say it like that."

Jamie Carragher highlighted that Liverpool's approach was too expansive following their opening weekend win against Bournemouth, slamming the defending leading to Antoine Semenyo's second goal. The Cherries forward was allowed to run at least 70 yards before slotting the ball into the corner.

"It is unbelievable," former Anfield defender Carragher told Sky Sports. "It's fantastic from Semenyo - but Liverpool have had this problem.

"How many players were ahead of the ball - maybe eight players - when they were winning 2-1? That can't happen. It's absolutely shocking at this level. For Semenyo to run that far and get his shot away is incredible - but where Konate is going? He had a really, really poor night tonight at centre-back."

Klopp, who now works as the Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, says he is enjoying his freedom away from an all-encompassing managerial role. “I can go on holiday," he added.

"And I decide when. OK, Ulla (his wife) decides when. But it is not the Premier League or the Bundesliga deciding.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.