Liverpool’s humiliating 3–0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium has ignited outrage among fans and pundits alike, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry leading the charge in criticism.
The former striker didn’t hold back as he delivered a brutally honest assessment of one of Arne Slot’s high-profile summer signings, labelling the player a “waste of money” and questioning the club’s decision-making in the transfer market.
Speaking on Premier League Productions after the match, Henry expressed disbelief at what he witnessed. “After watching him today for the first time, I realised Liverpool made a huge mistake signing him. He’s simply a waste of money,” he said. “I genuinely don’t understand what Arne Slot saw in him. Liverpool used to sign players who could change the course of a game — but this guy just slows everything down.”
Henry’s remarks quickly went viral, sparking intense debate among supporters who were equally disappointed by the team’s performance.
Many Liverpool fans echoed his frustration, admitting that the team looked lifeless and disorganised throughout the game. From the first whistle, Pep Guardiola’s men dominated possession and controlled the rhythm of play, effortlessly slicing through Liverpool’s defensive lines and punishing every error.
While the backline came under heavy fire for its lack of structure, one summer recruit, in particular, became the focal point of the backlash — and not for positive reasons. The player, once tipped to be a key part of Slot’s rebuild, struggled from start to finish. He was dispossessed several times, failed to track opposition runners, and rarely linked up effectively with his teammates. His poor display added to the sense of disappointment surrounding Liverpool’s recent recruitment strategy.
The loss has intensified scrutiny on Arne Slot, who is already under pressure to prove he can lead the club forward after replacing Jürgen Klopp. Slot’s attempts to reshape Liverpool’s identity have yielded mixed results, and many are beginning to question whether his current squad is suited to the possession-based system he is trying to implement.
Henry suggested that the real issue might extend beyond individual performances. “Sometimes the fault isn’t with the player,” he noted. “You have to ask whether they were signed for the right system. Does Arne Slot even know his best XI? Because right now, it doesn’t look like it.”
Concluding his analysis, Henry warned that Liverpool must rethink their transfer approach. “Liverpool are a massive club; they can’t afford to make experimental signings,” he said firmly. “You can’t bring in players who can’t cope with the intensity of this league. This isn’t the Eredivisie — it’s the Premier League. You need warriors, not passengers.”
His comments have split opinion online, with some praising his honesty and others accusing him of being too harsh. However, few could deny that Liverpool’s performance at the Etihad left serious questions about the club’s direction under Arne Slot.
