It had been a challenging week for Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot. The pressure was mounting after a devastating loss to Tottenham, and much of the blame was being directed at one player—Maximilian “Max” Rieder.
Once seen as a promising talent and the future of the club, Max’s recent performances had been poor. A series of critical errors, bad decisions, and lack of commitment had endangered Liverpool’s chances in the title race.
Sitting in his office, surrounded by the legacy of Liverpool’s history, Arne stared at the tactical board before him.
The door slowly opened, and Max entered, his expression a mix of determination and apprehension. He knew this would be a tough conversation.
“Sit down, Max,” Arne said without looking up.
Max sat down, attempting to calm his nerves. His usual self-assurance had been eroded by weeks of underperformance, leaving him feeling as though he were walking on a thin line.
After a long, tense silence, Arne turned to face him, his expression cold and filled with disappointment. “After your display against Tottenham,” he began, his voice steady but harsh, “do you really think I can trust you in another high-stakes match? My reputation is at risk here, and I can’t let one player destroy everything I’ve worked to build.”
Max’s stomach dropped. He had known his mistakes had cost the team, but hearing it directly from Arne felt like a heavy blow. This was no longer just about a poor performance—it was about his future at the club, the future he had always dreamed of and fought for.
“You were on the field, Max,” Arne continued, pacing. “But instead of showing the passion and intelligence this team is known for, you became a liability. I’ve given you countless chances, but against Tottenham, you let us down. I can’t afford for that to happen again, especially now when everything’s on the line.”
Max wanted to speak, to apologize and explain how desperately he was trying to return to form, but the words stuck in his throat.
He knew Arne wasn’t interested in excuses. The manager had seen his potential, but the cracks in his recent performances had become too evident to ignore.
Leaning forward, Arne’s gaze grew more intense. “This is bigger than you, Max. It’s about the team and the legacy of this club. If you can’t focus and perform, you’ll need to find somewhere else to do it.”
Max swallowed, the weight of the situation becoming clearer by the second. He understood that his time at Liverpool could end just as abruptly as it had started. He had been given opportunities that most players could only dream of, but now, it felt as though he might lose it all.
“I’ll fix this,” Max said, his voice quiet but resolute. “I promise. I’ll work harder, and I’ll make things right.”
Arne nodded, though his expression remained stern. “I hope you do, Max. But until you prove it on the pitch, I can’t take any more risks. Remember—you’re not irreplaceable.”
Max walked out of the office, Arne’s words ringing in his ears. As he made his way to the locker room, he wondered if he could ever regain the trust he had lost. Could he fight his way back into the team? Or had his mistakes cost him everything he had worked so hard to achieve at Liverpool?
