Liverpool Decline: Paul Scholes Slams Slot’s Ibiza Trip

Liverpool decline has become a hot topic after Manchester United legend Paul Scholes harshly criticized manager Arne Slot’s decision to celebrate prematurely in Ibiza. Scholes believes this controversial trip symbolized a turning point in Liverpool’s fortunes, sending the club into a tailspin just months after lifting the Premier League trophy.

Liverpool Decline Traced Back to Ibiza Party

Liverpool decline was unthinkable just six months ago. Arne Slot’s Reds dominated the English top flight and secured a deserved Premier League title. Yet, the celebrations quickly turned sour. The alarm was first sounded when Slot, before the season had wrapped up, was spotted DJing at an Ibiza party alongside Wayne Lineker. Scholes, speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, did not hold back: “I think this started towards the end of last season, do you remember when they won the league? The bad form started, they went away, went to Ibiza or something. Honestly, Arne Slot was DJing. DJing in Ibiza. But that’s before the season’s done, that’s what I mean. I think that’s disrespectful, before the season’s done. I think it’s classless.”

On-Field Struggles: Liverpool’s Dramatic Dip in Form

After the title celebrations, Liverpool’s decline accelerated. The club failed to win any of their final four matches last season and have since plummeted to 12th in the Premier League, losing six of their last seven league games in 2025-26. Their most recent setback—a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest—highlighted their vulnerability, especially defensively. Captain Virgil van Dijk admitted the squad is “letting the manager down,” and called for unity to pull Liverpool out of this “mess.”

Defensive Woes and Set-Piece Problems

Slot, who has yet to directly address the Ibiza controversy, has instead acknowledged responsibility for Liverpool’s “ridiculous” form. Last season, the Reds conceded 41 goals on their way to the title. This season, they have already let in 20 goals in just 12 matches—an alarming rate for a club of Liverpool’s stature. Slot noted, “Conceding far more goals than last season. The amount of goals we have conceded and the amount of goals from set-pieces is close to ridiculous for a club like us.”

Slot Under Pressure Despite Previous Success

Despite steering Liverpool to the title in his debut campaign and spending over £400 million in the summer transfer window, Arne Slot now faces mounting scrutiny. The Anfield faithful are beginning to question his leadership as the team’s defense looks fragile and attacking fluency has dried up. Slot’s own words capture the gravity of the situation: “If you can find an excuse, you will never find enough excuses to make you perform like this. Unexpected for the club, for me and everyone. But I am working at a club where if you need to face it, this is the best club to face it.”

The Road Ahead: Crucial Games for Liverpool Decline

The upcoming Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven, followed by a tough Premier League trip to West Ham, presents Liverpool with a chance to stop the rot. Two wins would ease the pressure on Slot and offer hope to the fans. Failure to improve, however, could push the manager closer to the exit.

Fan Sentiment and The Need for Simple Football

Slot himself has called for a return to basics: “Simple football is the most difficult thing. The simple things, they must do better. That is what we are not doing and that is quite easy to solve.” The Liverpool faithful, once jubilant, now watch anxiously as their team tries to rediscover the form that made them champions.

Opinion: Can Slot Recover from Liverpool Decline?

Liverpool’s decline serves as a stark reminder that success can be fleeting in football. While the Ibiza incident may have been ill-timed, blaming Slot’s trip alone oversimplifies deeper issues, including defensive lapses and the need for leadership on the pitch. At a club like Liverpool, standards are high and patience is notoriously short. Slot’s response in the coming weeks will define his tenure and determine if Liverpool can reignite their season. For more news on Liverpool’s challenges and football updates, visit for more news.