In the wake of Liverpool’s disappointing 3-2 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage, former England midfielder Joe Cole has unleashed a stunning critique of Reds boss Arne Slot, accusing him of wasting one of the club’s most gifted young players.
Speaking after the game, Cole didn’t hold back:
“He’s way better than Jude [Bellingham] and Camavinga. The reason he hasn’t reached that level is because of poor management. Arne Slot did a terrible job managing the lad. If he gave him more playing time, he would have helped the team to score today.”
Cole’s passionate outburst came after the young Liverpool star came off the bench and instantly impacted the game with composure, energy, and creativity – something the Reds had been lacking for much of the match. Fans at Craven Cottage and across social media were left stunned, not just by Liverpool’s defeat, but by the fact that such a talented player had been kept on the bench for so long.
“It’s really sad that his potential is just being wasted,” one fan posted on X, “Why was he on the bench in the first place?”
Despite Liverpool’s late push, Fulham’s clinical finishing proved the difference, with goals from Rodrigo Muniz and Andreas Pereira sealing the win for Marco Silva’s men. But the focus after the game wasn’t just on the result — it was on the curious absence of a player who many now believe could be the future of Liverpool’s midfield.
With Cole’s comments going viral and fans demanding answers, pressure is mounting on Arne Slot to explain his selection choices. If the club continues to overlook one of its brightest prospects, they risk not only losing games — but losing a future superstar in the making.
The calls for change are growing louder. Will Slot finally listen?
