Redknapp: Liverpool players also to blame for Slot's dismissal

Jamie Redknapp believes Liverpool's squad are partly to blame for Arne Slot's sacking.

Liverpool confirmed they had parted ways with Slot on Saturday, ending the Dutchman's two-year spell in charge.

Slot led Liverpool to their second Premier League title last season, but the Reds finished fifth this term, 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

Liverpool's point tally fell from 84 in 2024-25 to 60 in 2025-26, with their points difference the biggest drop by any ever-present Premier League side across those two campaigns. 

Slot's side also lost 19 games across all competitions in 2025-26. Since they were last promoted to the top-flight in 1962, only in 1992-93 (20) had they suffered more defeats in a campaign (also 19 in 2004-05 and 2009-10).  

Former Liverpool man Redknapp, however, believes some of the players who won the title under Slot need to be held accountable, most notably midfield duo Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

"A lot of players will be quick to blame Arne Slot, but if they look in the mirror this year... Alexis Mac Allister, for example, hasn't been good enough," Redknapp told Sky Sports. 

"Gravenberch was elite last season, has he been good enough? No. Too many players haven't been good enough."

Andoni Iraola is the leading candidate to replace Slot at Anfield, according to reports. He led Bournemouth to Europa League qualification in 2025-26 but is now a free agent.

However, Redknapp believes there are still some question marks surrounding Liverpool's squad, citing their big-money summer arrivals as players who need to step up. 

Florian Wirtz endured a difficult debut campaign after his £107m (€125m) move from Bayer Leverkusen, with the German international registering just 15 goal involvements (seven goals, eight assists) in 49 appearances across all competitions. 

Hugo Ekitike was Liverpool's standout summer arrival before sustaining a serious Achilles injury, while record signing Alexander Isak missed a large chunk of the campaign after breaking his leg.

Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez also struggled, though the latter did improve as the season went on. The Hungarian impressed under Iraola at Bournemouth.

"For Iraola, going into that squad, he will be licking his lips," Redknapp added. 

"He's got Alexander Isak to get fit, and there are a couple of little dilemmas and question marks about how he's going to fit players into that team.

"There are some injuries there as well. Ekitike is out injured but when he comes back, how does he fit into the team with Gravenberch? How does he get the best out of Wirtz? 

"That's going to be fascinating because, watching Bournemouth, you have to run in that midfield.

"You cannot have luxury players, and I'm a big fan of Wirtz, but it'll be fascinating how he fits into the team and make sure everyone works together.

"There are a lot of question marks in this squad. They're going to need thickening up, and it needs a bit more pace. Liverpool too many times last season were out-run."