2026-02-08 10:32:27

Arne Slot believes that playing entertaining football and giving fans something to enjoy is “worth more” than winning trophies in the long term at Liverpool.

The Reds boss enjoyed a dream start to life at Anfield after guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, but the club have struggled to replicate those heights this term.

Despite spending £450m in the summer to strengthen their title-winning squad, Liverpool’s disappointing campaign means their hopes of silverware this term now rest on the FA Cup or the Champions League – although he insists the playing a stylish brand of football is just as valuable as winning trophies.

Speaking on The Reds Roundtable podcast, which is available to watch in full on Liverpool’s YouTube channel, Slot said: “As a manager, you can win the league, Champions League, the FA Cup or the League Cup but the biggest thing you can win is that you can play the nicest football to watch.

“Although, at this moment in time, fans might argue a little bit. It is absolutely something that I am aiming for.

“I always want to have the ball, I want it to be intense and want the fans to like what they see. Not all of our fans see it as a joy to watch and the hardest thing is I even understand, I agree with them.

“Trophies is one thing but being a team, club or a manager that stands for good football, is in the long-term worth more.”

However, former Premier League midfielder Jamie O’Hara has questioned Slot’s comments and warned that the Dutchman’s future could be under threat if Liverpool fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, O’Hara said: “I think he is coming under pressure. If they are not in the Champions League, Arne Slot has to go.”

On Slot’s belief that style of play outweighs trophies, O’Hara added: “Absolutely not, I don’t know what he is on about. It’s all about winning trophies.

“You cannot win trophies by playing bad football. I am not sure what he is on about.

“He is talking about his team playing good football and they are not. They are boring to watch and teams have figured them out.

“If you are talking about good football, give me Jurgen Klopp. That was rock and roll football – and they won trophies!.”

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