Barnes blames Liverpool fans for Slot's sacking after one-season title defence collapse

John Barnes has placed the blame for Arne Slot’s dismissal at Liverpool squarely on the club’s own fanbase, arguing that supporter frustration — not boardroom strategy — drove the decision to sack the Dutchman less than 12 months after he won the Premier League title.

Slot’s debut season at Anfield produced the club’s second league championship, but his second campaign unravelled sharply. Liverpool finished fifth, 25 points behind champions Arsenal, and fans grew increasingly restless with what many saw as a passive, overly cautious style of play — a stark contrast to the high-energy approach Jürgen Klopp had made synonymous with the club.

“The owners, the Chief Exec and the rest of the hierarchy don’t sack managers, the fans do,” Barnes told Betfred. “If the fans lose faith in you, then unfortunately for all managers, this decision has to be taken. I’m sure they wouldn’t have wanted to do it but it’s the fans that decided and that’s unfair in my opinion.”

Barnes drew a pointed comparison with Arsenal, urging Liverpool supporters to reflect on the patience shown to Mikel Arteta during his early struggles at the Emirates. “Arteta finished 8th, 8th and then 5th and his club didn’t sack him and look where they are now,” he said. “Liverpool fans need to be careful what they wish for.”

The 43-year-old Andoni Iraola has already been confirmed as Slot’s replacement, signing a two-year deal at Anfield. The Spanish coach arrives from Bournemouth, where he guided the Cherries to finishes of 12th, ninth and sixth across three seasons, culminating in European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.

Barnes was cautiously supportive of the appointment but stressed that continuity will be the deciding factor. “The previous manager was the right man for the job and it turned out the way it did,” he said. “Iraola will only be the right man for the job if he’s supported when times get tough. I’m sure Iraola can do a good job, absolutely.”

His broader warning was clear: without a shift in fan culture at Anfield, Liverpool risk repeating the cycle of managerial instability that has defined rivals Manchester United in recent years.