### “I SHOULD NEVER HAVE STARTED HIM!” – ARNE SLOT EXPLODES AFTER GALATASARAY NIGHTMARE
Liverpool’s nightmare evening in Istanbul has triggered major controversy, as head coach Arne Slot openly admitted that he made a mistake by starting one of his experienced players during their 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray.
The Reds went into the clash hoping to bounce back from their shaky domestic form, but instead, they left Turkey with more questions than answers. A first-half penalty from Victor Osimhen proved decisive, but the real shock came later—when Slot, visibly frustrated, delivered one of the harshest assessments of a Liverpool player in recent memory.
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### Slot’s Brutal Honesty
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot did not mince words:
> “I regret starting him tonight. This may very well be the last time he plays for me. If this is what he brings, he won’t be at Liverpool beyond this season. Performances like that cannot be accepted at this club.”
It was a rare moment of brutal honesty from a Liverpool manager, and one that sent shockwaves across the football world. Slot’s message was unmistakable—underperformance would not be tolerated, no matter a player’s status or reputation.
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### Who Was the Target?
Although the Dutch boss refused to name the player outright, fans quickly pieced together who he was referring to. The midfielder in question endured a disastrous outing: losing multiple duels, failing to track runners, and misplacing more than 20% of his passes. Worse still, he appeared lethargic and was dribbled past repeatedly, leaving Liverpool exposed in the heat of RAMS Park’s hostile atmosphere.
These costly errors allowed Galatasaray to dictate much of the contest, and despite a late surge from Liverpool—which even included a controversial VAR reversal denying them a penalty—the Premier League side never found their rhythm.
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### The Fallout
Slot’s comments have sparked massive debate among Liverpool supporters. Many welcomed the no-nonsense approach, praising Slot for refusing to protect players who repeatedly underperform. Some insisted this kind of ruthlessness has been missing in recent years, and that Liverpool needed a manager willing to draw a line in the sand.
Others, however, expressed concern that publicly calling out a player in such a way could destabilize the dressing room and harm morale. Yet for Slot, the message was clear: reputations mean nothing if performances do not match Liverpool’s high standards.
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### What Next for Liverpool?
With injuries piling up—most notably Alisson’s absence—and defensive errors continuing to haunt them, Slot faces a daunting task. His remarks strongly suggest that a squad overhaul may be looming, with underperformers shown the door and fresh reinforcements brought in.
Liverpool’s season, already marred by inconsistency, VAR drama, and fitness setbacks, has now taken yet another dramatic twist. But one thing is evident—Arne Slot is not afraid to be ruthless. For some players, this could mark the end of the road at Anfield.
