Hamann Exclusive: Liverpool's Wolves Nightmare, Slot Under Pressure

Published on March 6th, 2026

Speaking exclusively to BOYLE Sports, former Liverpool and Newcastle midfielder Didi Hamann offers a no-holds-barred verdict on the Reds ’ alarming dip in form.

The recent defeat to Wolves has exposed deep cracks in a team that appears fatigued, inconsistent and devoid of the cohesion that defined their title-winning campaign last season, even after significant summer spending on new signings.

Hamann casts doubt on Arne Slot’s ability to arrest the slide, pinpoints Florian Wirtz as the potential catalyst to unlock the attack in the Champions League , and raises the prospect of Xabi Alonso returning to Anfield as manager this summer should progress continue to stall.

Assessing Wolves Defeat

Liverpool losing to Wolves is very disappointing. They need every point now to make sure they qualify for the Champions League next season. They probably played one of the worst teams in the Premier League in the last decade. I think they've got 16 points now. They probably won't get to 24.

I wouldn't say a wake-up call, but they knew what Wolves did to Arsenal a couple of weeks ago after being 2-0 down. And in the situation they are in, with the Champions League round the corner again, it was a hugely disappointing result.

FA Cup Prediction: Wolves vs Liverpool

Liverpool can get their revenge, but it's a chance for Wolves to maybe turn a dreadful or a terrible season into a half-decent one if they were to get into the last eight, last four.

The thing with Liverpool now, and I think this is the worst thing for people involved in the club and obviously the fans, you go and watch them, you don't know what you're going to get. If you knew one thing about the club for the last few years, and also about Arne Slot last season, they were very reliable.

You always knew what you were going to get. They lost games, but they lost games for the right reasons. Because your position was better or they made a mistake, whatever. Now you just don't know what you're going to get. You know, is it a certainty to beat Wolves on Friday? I don't think so.

The Missing Link

Liverpool look like a tired team. Last week's five goals against West Ham shouldn't be overestimated, as two were deflections. There are many issues at the moment. The right-back position is one area that should have been addressed, with Conor Bradley's injuries and Jeremie Frimpong not being a natural right-back. Giovanni Leoni injury after signing also didn't help.

Alexander Isak hasn't played a part, and Florian Writz has been quiet for four or five months despite improving in the last few weeks before getting injured again. They are all top-class players, but it looks like an assembly of individuals rather than a cohesive team. There's no spirit or togetherness, which isn't enough, even against the bottom team in the Premier League.

I thought they might finish fourth and be in the Champions League this season. Yesterday's result was a real downer. They just need to ensure they get enough points now to finish in the top five, as fifth will be enough. However, I think there's a huge question mark.

Is Wirtz The Answer?

Liverpool have missed Florian Wirtz , but they did struggle with him at the start. Obviously, he seems like a different player now. I think, with his first goal or a couple of goals, he gained a lot of confidence. He now shows what everybody saw in Germany , the three or four years he's played as an outstanding player. It probably wasn't easy to come into a team that's been hugely successful, the Mohamed Salah situation, obviously, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak coming in.

I think the hope now is a player that didn't score a goal for the first four or five months, and I think they show where Liverpool are. Hopefully, he's back soon because I think, especially in the Champions League , he could be the game-changer they need to progress past that next round.

Slot Under Pressure

I think Liverpool will keep Arne Slot because obviously, he's done wonderful things last season. Nobody expected it. I thought top four was the target last season. They ended up winning the title, and they ended up winning it pretty comfortably. They've spent an awful lot of money this summer. You look at the team now, and I think the money they spent last season, you feel like they needed to spend this season.

Obviously, they got Jeremy Jacquet from France , who's got a shoulder injury now. I think he's out for a few weeks or months. Hopefully, he's back for next season. Giovanni Leoni will hopefully come back. But I think that team needs some fresh blood because they look tired. Everything is laboured. There's no togetherness. I think it needs a spark. And I'm not sure how much money they can spend or will spend. But the manager will come under pressure because what you want to see in a team or as a club, as an official, is progress.

Don't forget they won the first five or six games where they probably shouldn't have won any of them. So they could be five, six, eight, or 10 points worse off now than where they are. And then obviously Champions League qualification would be out of sight. They’ve got to get in the top five and take stock, but I'm far from saying the manager will definitely be there next season.

Is Slot's Premier League Criticism Justified?

Arne Slot won the league last year, so he's entitled to his opinion on style of play and entitled to give it. Whether it's the right time now, it's a different matter. I think what he says is probably right. Sam Allardyce used to do that in my time. People said he was from the Stone Ages and now it's coming back.

Obviously, what we see now, especially with corners, I think, is a bit worrying. There may have to be rule changes, so I think he's right. Whether it's the right time to say it is a different matter.

Xabi Alonso

Liverpool will need to make a decision in the summer regardless of Xabi Alonso’s position, but he is an outstanding manager. Things didn't work out, but I think he would have learned an awful lot in Madrid in the short time he was there. Whether he's open to do it, I have no idea.

But I suppose he'll certainly be the first one on the list. I wouldn't be surprised if they had already spoken to him.”

Jurgen Klopp To Real Madrid?

Jürgen Klopp always said he's not going to manage another club in England . Obviously, if he were to manage another club here, I think the Liverpool fans wouldn't be too happy. Real Madrid is probably still the biggest club in the world. They lost to Getafe at home recently, but made up the deficit to Barcelona , though they are four points behind again now.

They've got a tough game against Manchester City in the Champions League. I think if Real Madrid wanted him, I thought they might move now. They are in the last 16 of the Champions League , and while it's tough to win, they have a chance, and there might be changes in the summer. If they don't get him now, I'm not too sure whether they would move for him in the summer.