“He looked like a madman” – Arne Slot Liverpool meltdown questioned in Netherlands

Liverpool may have cruised past Galatasaray in the Champions League, but the biggest talking point in the Netherlands isn’t the scoreline.

It’s Arne Slot’s behaviour. And according to analyst Theo Janssen, the Dutch manager crossed a line rarely seen from him.

Theo Janssen’s blunt verdict

Janssen, speaking on Ziggo Sport, relayed by Soccer News, said he was shocked by Slot’s intensity on the touchline.

“You can see that the pressure is affecting him,” he said.

“He looked like Simeone. He stood like a madman on the sidelines. This is behaviour you don’t often see from Arne.”

Passion or lack of control?

For Janssen, Arne Slot’s animated display wasn’t passion, it was overkill. The former midfielder believes Slot’s emotional state may have clouded his judgement.

“On the other hand, you could say: it affects him a lot and he is therefore very committed to the team. But I thought this was a bit too much. I would rather see the Arne Slot who watches calmly.”

As far as he’s concerned, it would have been impossible for Slot to have taken everything in during the game, even with Liverpool cruising.

“When you are emotional, you make choices that are often not the very best,” he added.

“It is better to stay focused while watching a match. Of course you can cheer on your team, but this went way too far.”

Arne Slot explains his anger

Slot, for his part, later explained that his demeanour was a reaction to Galatasaray’s time-wasting.

The Turkish side frustrated Slot and much of Anfield with their antics and the Liverpool manager was keen to point it out after his side’s dominant win. Of course, some delays were justified, such as the one for Noa Lang’s injury. 

Slot, though, was unimpressed by the number of stoppages in the game.

“I get so sick of opponents coming here just to lie on the ground, stall for time, and pretend to be injured. That takes all the momentum out of the stadium,” he said.

He then explained his own agitated behaviour on the sidelines, insisting he felt it was important.

“I felt it was important today (Wednesday), not because I was stressed, but simply to create something,” he concluded.

“To let everyone know that we need to protect football. It is not nice that football is heading in this direction. So, I tried to make that clear in words and gestures, that this is very annoying for football. That is also why I am glad that we didn’t let it get to us.”

Janssen, though, wasn’t convinced. His message was simple, Liverpool need a focused leader, not a frantic one. And with the spotlight only getting brighter at Anfield, Janssen’s warning may land with Slot.