Jurgen Klopp admits he is stumped by Liverpool’s loss of form under Arne Slot.
Slot succeeded Klopp in the Anfield hot seat two years ago and delivered instant success by lifting the Premier League title in front of fans for a first time in 35 years.
But the Dutchman’s difficult second season rapidly disintegrated as the reigning champions suffered 20 defeats in all competitions and scraped a fifth-place finish.
Andoni Iraola has since replaced Slot as the Reds’ head coach, signing a two year contract just five days after his predecessor’s sacking by Fenway Sports Group.
And Klopp conceded in an interview with ESPN that he cannot put a finger on exactly what was behind his former employers’ alarming on-field performances.
Asked why Liverpool’s standards dropped, he said: “No idea. I’m not close enough to judge that.
“I was super happy that they won a league a year before and I have no idea what was wrong that the year after.
“So I think nobody was very happy with the season. That was obvious, but they still qualified for the Champions League and that’s a great success.
“Now you can go again and have a new manager and Andoni Iraola who is a great coach as well, like Arne Slot is, but it has to click.
“It has to work together for a long time and for that you need luck.”
He added: “There was a situation before last season at Liverpool, which nobody expected to happen (Diogo Jota’s death) and to deal with these kind of things is really difficult.
“I don’t know what exactly went on, but so the last season is now passed as well and now they can look into the future.”
Klopp also revealed his friendship with Mohamed Salah, who will officially leave Liverpool next week, has grown since they stopped working together in 2024
The Egypt captain was a vocal critic of Slot’s beleaguered reign and also clashed with his former manager on occasion including during a 2-2 draw at West Ham.
“We are friends now,” said Klopp.
“So how I saw it with my players, I always said it, I want to be the friend of my players. I cannot be their best friend.
“While you’re working together, players sometimes think I’m not even their friend because I have to make some decisions they don’t like.
“But the good thing is it’s all past … The strongest thing in life is good memories. They are stronger than pretty much anything else.
“And right now we share them and so we are friends and now he’s at the World Cup.”
