Liverpool’s 2023/24 season ended in disappointment as they went from being in contention for three trophies to winning none. This collapse was compounded by the impending departure of their legendary manager, Jürgen Klopp, who announced his decision to leave at the end of the season. With three Premier League games remaining, the team’s confidence appeared to be low following a 2-2 draw with West Ham. Liverpool players felt disappointment at not being able to help Klopp sign off with another trophy win, making the League Cup victory in February seem like a distant memory.
Klopp’s famous description of his Liverpool team as “mentality monsters” highlighted their spirited and successful tenure during his time as manager. However, recent weeks have seen a loss of this trait, which the new manager, Arne Slot, will need to rediscover in order to achieve success similar to Klopp’s era. Slot’s task ahead is to rebuild the mentality monster as Liverpool transitions into a post-Klopp era. Signs of this mentality slipping were evident during the West Ham draw, such as Liverpool’s hesitancy to capitalize on a defensive error and Mohamed Salah’s reaction to Klopp on the touchline.
While the present downturn in Liverpool’s fortunes is concerning, Klopp’s belief that players can become “mentality monsters” offers hope for improvement. Slot’s appointment signals a fresh start with the opportunity for new ideas and energy to revive the team’s mentality. Rebuilding the monster will be a challenging task, especially given Klopp’s departure and the team’s recent struggles in the season’s crucial moments. Slot’s ability to motivate and organize the team tactically will be crucial in addressing the mental aspect of the game that Liverpool may miss when Klopp exits. Despite the challenges ahead, the potential for a positive transformation and regaining the team’s winning mentality is within reach.
