Slot's Century at Liverpool: More Wins Than Klopp, But Reds Dig In Despite Galatasaray Heartbreak
Arne Slot marked his 100th Liverpool match with a Champions League defeat to Galatasaray, but boasts more wins than Jürgen Klopp at the same stage despite this season's struggles. The club remains fully behind the Dutch manager amid poor form, with no obvious superior replacements in sight. Comparisons highlight Slot's luckier inheritance and attacking flair.
Slot's Milestone Night Turns Sour in Istanbul
Picture this: Arne Slot notches up his 100th game as Liverpool boss, but instead of popping champagne, he's nursing a defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. Yeah, that early strike from Mario Lemina – the ex-Saints and Cottagers midfielder – had the Reds on the ropes in Istanbul. It's the second loss to the Turks this season, meaning Anfield's got some serious work to do in the return leg.
Slot took over from the legend Jürgen Klopp last summer and hit the ground running, snagging Liverpool's second title since 1990 to match Man United's English haul. But this season? It's been a proper rollercoaster, with a whopping $599 million splashed in transfers on new faces who haven't quite clicked, while stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have hit the skids.
Record Books: Slot Edges Klopp's First 100
At the 100-match mark, Slot's tally reads 62 wins, 15 draws, and 23 losses – a 62% win rate that's barely budged from his career average. Alarm bells? 13 defeats already this term, with months left. Still, hold your horses, lads.
Compare it to Klopp's first ton from 2015-17: just 50 wins, 29 draws, 21 losses. Slot's lot has banged in 208 goals to Klopp's 182, conceding a tad more at 118 vs 108. Klopp inherited a sixth-placed side post-Luis Suárez's Barca jaunt and Rodgers' near-miss title tilt. Recruitment was ropey back then, cash from Suárez squandered. Slot? Parachuted into a title-winning machine.
As Slot himself quipped pre-match: "I've been lucky with a top team." He reckons the negativity's overblown – fair play, after defending his record like a centre-back on a yellow.
Liverpool Back Slot: No Panic Sacking Here
Despite the Prem title defence crumbling – top five now the dream, Euro hopes flickering post-Galatasaray – the Anfield brass aren't twitching. As David Ornstein spilled on The Athletic FC Podcast, they're "steadfastly behind" the Dutchman, who ticks every box.
No trophies yet? FA Cup's still in play, and they fancy the Champions League comeback. Slot's reportedly chuffed, and the club reciprocates. Last gaffer short of 100 games? Kenny Dalglish's second stint (74 matches). Klopp got 491 despite a sluggish start; Roy Hodgson's 31-game flop is the outlier.
Successors? Slim pickings. Xabi Alonso, the Kop hero, fancies Real but flopped there quick. Roberto De Zerbi punched above at Brighton but bailed on Marseille amid hidings. Andoni Iraola's doing bits at Bournemouth, but elite? Nah. As Steve Pearson at TEAMtalk notes, ditching Slot now would be a gamble too far.
The Bigger Picture: Patience Pays at Anfield
Liverpool fans might grumble – October-November nosedive stung – but history screams patience. Slot's got the tools; it's about bedding in the big-money buys. That second leg? Prime redemption shot.
Drawing from SI Soccer and TEAMtalk intel, the Reds see Slot as the man to steady the ship. Win rate better than Klopp early doors, healthier attack – signs of progress amid the chaos. Fancy a pint to mull it over? Cheers to 100 more... hopefully with more W's.