Arne Slot pens open letter to Liverpool fans after sacking following fifth-place finish

Arne Slot has spoken publicly for the first time since Liverpool sacked him on Saturday, publishing an open letter to supporters in which he reflected on his two seasons at Anfield — from a Premier League title triumph to the tragedies that followed.

Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, guided Liverpool to their 20th top-flight title in his debut season but was dismissed after the club finished fifth in the table the following campaign. In the letter, he described the title-winning season as “beyond special” and thanked supporters for their presence during the trophy celebrations.

“You walk out under that famous sign in the Anfield tunnel, and you feel a mix of emotions,” Slot wrote. “Responsibility, of course. To this club’s great history. Expectation, naturally. To honour the legacy that, for 134 years, has made Liverpool FC one of the biggest clubs in world football. And determination. To compete. To win.”

Slot acknowledged how much the title meant to supporters who had been denied the chance to celebrate in person during the 2020 championship, won during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Having had much of that taken from you in 2020, it was never lost on me how much it mattered that you were part of it all,” he wrote.

The Dutchman also addressed the Water Street incident that occurred on the day of the title parade, expressing that his thoughts remain with those affected and praising the city’s response. “I was privileged to witness first-hand your spirit of compassion and unity,” he wrote. “It is a spirit that has carried this city through difficult moments before, and one that I hope will help bring the justice and accountability so many have campaigned for over many years.”

Slot paid tribute to striker Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in Spain last July alongside his brother André Silva. “More than anything, I want to remember a team-mate, a friend and an incredible human being who touched the lives of thousands of you every time he wore this club’s famous crest,” he wrote, calling Jota’s death “indescribable”.

The letter was first published by the Liverpool ECHO.