May 30 (Reuters) - Liverpool parted ways with Arne Slot ⁠on Saturday after the Dutch manager who won the Premier League title in his first season failed to live up to expectations in a ⁠roller-coaster second season where they finished fifth.

Former Feyenoord boss Slot replaced Juergen Klopp in 2024 and the Dutchman impressed in his first ‌season as Liverpool won the Premier League title on the back of Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah's 29 goals and 18 assists in the league.

However, his second season at Liverpool transformed from a title defence into a desperate scramble for Champions League qualification while they failed to win a domestic cup, marking a dramatic downturn for the defending champions.

Liverpool ended the season in fifth place with 60 points -- their ​lowest tally since the 2015-16 campaign and 25 points behind champions Arsenal -- and the club said ⁠they had to make the "difficult decision" to part ways with ⁠the Dutchman.

'CHANGE IS NECESSARY'

"The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly ⁠of ‌all to supporters and ourselves – successful," Liverpool said in a statement.

"From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it.