Liverpool manager Arne Slot just did something you rarely see: he criticized his own league. And he didn't hold back.
In a brutally honest interview, Slot took aim at the Premier League's officiating and playing style, saying flatly: "Most of the PL games are not a joy to watch for me."
Ouch. That's not holding back, folks.
The Netherlands native, who took over at Anfield with high expectations, contrasted the physical, set-piece-heavy approach of modern Premier League football with the flowing, beautiful game of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona from 15 years ago.
"I watch an Eredivisie match and I see fouls on goalkeepers being given, here you can almost hit a goalkeeper in the face," Slot explained. "My football heart doesn't like it, I think about the Barça team 15 years ago. Every Sunday you'd hope they would play."
Now, here's what makes this statement so significant: Slot isn't some outsider throwing stones. He's managing one of the Premier League's most historic clubs. He's competing for trophies in this league. And he's saying the product isn't good enough.
The comparison to Barcelona's golden era is pointed. That team - with Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi - played football that transcended the sport. They made you fall in love with the game all over again. According to Slot, the is heading in the opposite direction.
