Iraola comes with risk for Liverpool – but Slot had to go

Arne Slot's position as Liverpool head coach was untenable. The decision-makers at Anfield took a little longer than the supporters to realise that, but in the end it became clear that they could not risk disrupting next season with an autumn sacking.

Liverpool's lowest points total for a decade did not undo the achievement of winning the Premier League title in his first season. But it did undermine the argument that he was the best man to oversee the ongoing overhaul. Fans demanded a different direction.