Arne Slot has published a wide-ranging farewell letter after two seasons at Liverpool, saying he quits with pride after a spell that he believes returned the club “back where it belongs” among Europe’s elite.

Slot released a short statement in the immediate aftermath of his Anfield exit and followed that with a longer piece published through the Liverpool ECHO. He arrived at Liverpool two years ago with low expectations, backed to steer a Jürgen Klopp-less Reds outfit through a handful of transitional years while they adjusted to such a seismic change. As the Dutchman has admitted, winning the Premier League title in his first season perhaps distorted perception of the challenge he faced.

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

“And determination. To compete. To win. To bring success to an Anfield crowd so renowned across the globe.

“That all of those emotions would culminate in a Premier League title after just 12 months was beyond special. It was not only a trophy, but a reward for the hard work, sacrifice and commitment shown by so many people throughout the club.

“It was made even more meaningful because you got to enjoy it with us. Singing our songs, cheering the goals. And on the day we lifted the trophy, you were there. Lining the streets outside the stadium, filling Anfield in anticipation.”

Slot contrasted that celebration with the absence of fans in 2019–20 and paid tribute to the city after the events on Water Street when a car drove into crowds, injuring over 130 people. “What followed on Water Street later that day was shocking and my thoughts remain with all of those affected,” he reflected.

He also addressed the club’s grief following the death of Diogo Jota. “That only weeks after celebrating together we would lose Diogo is indescribable,” Slot admitted. “More than anything, I want to remember a teammate, 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 thanked staff and players in full: “Of course, it is important to say thank you.

“To the players who wore the badge with pride while representing this club across the world. To the staff—not only those on the training ground—but those behind the scenes, whether maintaining the pitches at Anfield or working in the canteen at the training ground.

“To the club hierarchy and ownership for your trust and direction. To the legends who supported me and impressed upon me the importance of The Liverpool Way.

“It has been a pleasure working with you all.”

Slot acknowledged the resignation left the club in transition, made sharper by the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté. He also noted Liverpool secured Champions League qualification and observed the team returned 60 points from 38 games, matching the low of the 2015–16 season, which yielded an eighth-place finish in Klopp’s first year.

Despite the disappointment that ended his tenure, Slot stressed the achievement of a joint-record 20th league crown: “Liverpool’s 20th league title belongs to all of us and it will remain an important chapter in its history. For that we should all be proud.” He closed with confidence about the future: “I leave with complete confidence in what lies ahead.”

Two years after his appointment, Arne Slot has left Liverpool and the club begins the search for his successor. The decision follows a run of poor results and performances and will split opinion inside the dressing room. For some players the change brings fresh opportunity; for others it raises questions about their future.

Florian Wirtz endured a difficult debut season after last summer’s blockbuster move from Bayer Leverkusen. Slot was unable to get the best from him, with Wirtz finishing the campaign with just 15 goal involvements in 49 matches and often shifted to the left flank. Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann had previously unlocked Wirtz’s potential at club and international level. Liverpool’s next manager, almost certainly ex-Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, would inherit a creative talent who still needs careful nurturing.

Curtis Jones arrives at the summer with uncertainty around his future. Reports of a move to Serie A champions Inter intensified after first surfacing in the winter window, fuelled by frustrations under Slot and limited involvement. The 25-year-old has shown technical ability but inconsistency remains his key problem. Even Jürgen Klopp was unable to turn Jones into a world-beating midfielder. If Iraola arrives, Jones could benefit from a coach known for man-management, with Alex Scott’s progress at Bournemouth cited as an encouraging example.

Milos Kerkez struggled early after signing last summer but improved as the season went on, though he did not reach the levels he showed in 2024–25 at Bournemouth. Slot’s move away from using attacking width from fullback constrained Kerkez’s impact. If Iraola returns, Kerkez would reunite with the manager who turned him into a $53.5 million (£40 million) player and might rediscover the form expected of Liverpool’s Andy Robertson successor.

Jeremie Frimpong’s season was disrupted by five separate spells on the sidelines, and when fit he found Slot’s system confusing. The 25-year-old had delivered 10 or more goal involvements in each of his final four seasons at Bayer Leverkusen as a wingback but managed just three in 35 appearances for Liverpool.

Cody Gakpo featured heavily with 52 appearances, yet scored nine goals and only one in the final three months after signing a new contract last August. With Rio Ngumoha emerging and Liverpool targeting at least one new winger this summer, including Yan Diomande as a first-choice target, Gakpo will need to prove himself to Slot’s successor.

Ryan Gravenberch was redeployed by Slot as a defensive midfielder and that transformation was important to Liverpool winning the Premier League, so Slot justifiably retained faith in the former Bayern Munich man last season.

Wayne Rooney launched a blunt public critique after Mohamed Salah’s recent interview in which the forward criticised Liverpool and manager Arne Slot. Salah’s comments provoked a strong response from a cohort of pundits and former players, while John Terry offered a contrasting defence.

Salah, described in the piece as last season’s Player of the Year, demanded “respect” for his past achievements and said, “I don’t have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it.” That line was singled out by Rooney on his podcast, who said: “To have the arrogance to say he doesn’t have to earn his place because he has already earned his place, you need to be at your best every week to try and stay in the team.” Rooney added, “If I was one of his teammates, I wouldn’t be happy at all with what he said because this is where Liverpool need him most. If anything, he has thrown Liverpool under the bus with his words.”

Rooney argued that Slot should make an example of Salah by excluding him from the travelling squad for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Inter. “Arne Slot has to show his authority and pull him in and say, ‘You are not travelling with the team, what you said is not acceptable.’” He warned that the remarks risked undoing much of the forward’s work at the club: “He is absolutely destroying his legacy at Liverpool,” and, “I am sure over the next couple of years he will regret saying what he has.”

John Terry, a former Chelsea teammate, took a different view and said on his TikTok channel: “I think he’d be the first one to say he’s been out of form this season, but I have to agree with him as well. I think he has been made a scapegoat a little bit. I think a lot of Liverpool players, including himself, have been out of form recently.” Terry also warned against leaving Salah out: “And to leave him out—I’m not being funny, if there’s one player that can win you a game, it’s going to be him, so it’s a big call from the manager.”

The interview highlighted Salah’s own claim that he has been “thrown under the bus” and that “that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.” The forward has suffered a marked dip in attacking output and has been criticised for limited defensive contribution. Notably, he started both of Liverpool’s home defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven before being dropped for the next three matches.