It had been a challenging week for Liverpool manager Arne Slot. Following a crushing defeat to Tottenham, the pressure was mounting, and much of the blame was being directed at one player—Maximilian “Max” Rieder.
Once considered a bright future for the club, Max’s recent form had been disastrous. A series of costly mistakes and poor decisions had put Liverpool’s title hopes in jeopardy, and now the young talent found himself in the eye of a storm.
Inside his office, surrounded by the weight of Liverpool’s proud history, Arne stared at the tactical board. The door opened, and Max walked in, his face betraying a mixture of resolve and anxiety. He knew this conversation wouldn’t be easy.
“Sit down, Max,” Arne said without looking up.
Max hesitated before taking a seat, his usual confidence now eroded by his recent performances. It felt as if every mistake had compounded, and now, facing his manager, the reality of his situation was hitting him hard.
After a long silence, Arne finally turned to him. His face was stern, filled with disappointment. “After your performance against Tottenham,” Arne began, his voice steady but piercing, “do you honestly think I can trust you in another critical match? My reputation is on the line here at Liverpool. I can’t allow one player to undo everything I’ve worked to build.”
Max’s heart sank. He had known his mistakes were costly, but hearing the weight of it from Arne made it feel even more devastating. It wasn’t just one bad game; it felt like he was about to lose everything.
“You were on the pitch, Max,” Arne continued, his voice rising with frustration. “But instead of playing with the intelligence and heart this club stands for, you became a liability. I’ve given you chances, but against Tottenham, you let us down. I can’t let that happen again—not with so much at stake.”
Max opened his mouth, wanting to apologize, to explain how hard he was working to regain his form, but the words never came. He knew Arne wasn’t interested in excuses. The manager had seen his potential, but the growing evidence of his underperformance was too much to overlook.
Arne leaned forward, his gaze firm. “This isn’t just about you, Max. It’s about the team and the legacy of this club. If you can’t get your focus right and deliver, you’ll have to find somewhere else to do it.”
Max’s stomach twisted. He knew that his time at Liverpool was on the line. He had been given opportunities others could only dream of, and now he might lose it all because of a string of poor decisions.
“I’ll fix this,” Max said quietly, though his voice was filled with determination. “I promise. I’ll work harder and make things right.”
Arne gave a nod, though his face remained unwavering. “I hope you do, Max. But until you prove it on the pitch, I can’t afford any more risks. Remember—you’re not irreplaceable.”
Max stood and left the office, Arne’s words ringing in his ears. As he walked toward the locker room, uncertainty hung heavy in his mind. Could he prove himself again? Would he regain the trust he had lost, or had his mistakes cost him everything he had worked so hard to achieve at Liverpool?
