EOTK Close-up with Roddy Collins: brutal verdict on Szoboszlai moment, Salah fallout and Slot’s Liverpool future
Roddy Collins gives an unfiltered assessment of Szoboszlai’s controversial backheel, Salah’s public comments after Leeds, Slot's future and his take on Wirtz and Isak so far.
Liverpool have rarely lacked talking points this season, and few voices cut through the noise quite like Roddy Collins.
Speaking exclusively to Empire of the Kop at The Football Historian Podcast studio, former player and manager — now a respected pundit in Ireland — sat down for a wide-ranging and refreshingly honest discussion on the key issues surrounding the club.
From Dominic Szoboszlai’s much-debated backheel against Barnsley at Anfield, to Mohamed Salah’s post-Leeds interview, Arne Slot’s future, and the long-term outlook for record signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Collins pulled no punches.
The interview
Roddy, Dominic Szoboszlai’s backheel against Barnsley at Anfield. What did you make of it?
“Disgusting. Really, very disappointed. I don’t know if he’d have done it if Klopp was there — and I’m not making comparisons with Slot — but I don’t think he’d have accepted that. I thought it was totally disrespectful and very arrogant.
“He did something similar for Hungary against Ireland in a play-off game. He made a gesture towards someone in the dugout — it showed his arrogance and mentality. For me, I don’t care how talented you are, it’s not a Liverpool trait.
“I’m delighted it was punished and I’m delighted Liverpool won in the end, but no — that wouldn’t be for me.”
I also wanted to ask you about Mohamed Salah after the Leeds game. As a former manager and player, can you understand why he spoke out, and why the club have let him back in?
“I think it is the end, really — but because of the money involved nowadays, you can’t just gate someone. You play the political game.
“Salah’s numbers last year were massive. He signs a new contract and then comes out shouting. He knows he’s secure. He probably knows Saudi Arabia is an option too — a few quid from Liverpool and a few quid from Saudi.
“I agree that Trent helped him massively. But if you’re playing at that world level, there’s no excuse for the performances he’s put in. He tried it with Klopp and didn’t get away with it.
“My concern is this: is there a lack of fear now? If players feel they can do that, something isn’t quite right.”
Arne Slot has gone from losing six out of seven to being unbeaten in eleven games. He seems more focused on not losing rather than all-out attack. Some people are calling for change — what’s your view?
“I’d never call for a manager to be sacked — I’ve been one, it’s horrible. When Slot came in, Klopp’s team was still firing. It was a seamless transition.
“I actually think it was the remnants of Klopp’s work that got Liverpool over the line last season, and also that it wasn’t the strongest league year — no disrespect, I was delighted Liverpool won it.
“But it’s like a boxer going back to the well too often. These players — Salah, Van Dijk, Robertson — have been doing that for years. You win the title, you celebrate, maybe the foot comes off the gas slightly.
“Then you lose players like Jota — and that’s massive. Look at how many points Liverpool won last season from the bench. Jota, Nunez — Nunez was mad as a brush but he caused chaos.
“Van Dijk doesn’t look in top gear, Konate is struggling, Trent is gone, Bradley isn’t the same type of player. When you take everything into account, there’s no way you get rid of the manager.
“You’re not winning the league this season. Be realistic. Finish as high as possible, have a run in the Champions League, and if you win an FA Cup, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Liverpool broke their transfer record twice this summer for Florian Wirtz and then Alexander Isak. What have you made of them?
“They’re top, top, world-class players. One hundred per cent they’ll come through for Liverpool.
“You don’t judge players in their first season. Different league, injuries, settling in, learning teammates, living somewhere new — it all takes time.
“People say ‘they cost £240 million’. You didn’t buy them for this season — you bought them for the next five years.
“Supporters change every five minutes. I remember being told I was getting sacked in the morning, then we scored two goals and suddenly there was only one Roddy Collins. That’s football — panic buttons get pressed, but that’s the beauty of the game.”
Final word
Huge thanks to Roddy Collins for his time and his honesty throughout this exclusive conversation for Empire of the Kop.
This interview was recorded at The Football Historian Podcast studio. If you enjoyed this discussion and want more long-form football conversations, stories and interviews, you can subscribe to The Football Historian Podcast across all major platforms.
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