Michael Owen reckons Liverpool got it spot on when they decided to pull the trigger on Arne Slot last month. The former Red believes it was the mood inside Anfield that ultimately sealed the manager's fate.

Slot's departure came after a disappointing second season that saw the Reds surrender their Premier League crown with barely a whimper. The Dutchman, who had replaced Jurgen Klopp two years earlier, watched his side stumble to fifth place after losing 12 league matches and 20 across all competitions.

Fenway Sports Group initially wanted to keep faith with Slot, but an end-of-season review led by sporting director Richard Hughes on May 30 changed everything. Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was quickly brought in as his replacement, with the club confirming on Friday that three more departures would follow: assistant Sipke Hulshoff, head of physical performance Ruben Peeters, and assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Owen, who bagged five major trophies during nearly 300 appearances for the club, points to the audible frustration from supporters as the key factor. The boos that greeted draws with relegated Burnley in January and a Chelsea side that arrived on the back of six straight defeats told their own story.

"Towards the end of the season you could feel the fans' unrest, and I was initially believing that Liverpool would give Slot more time and he would be in charge next season," Owen told the ECHO. "But once the season was ending, if you asked fans at the matches, there was a real feeling that they didn't believe Slot was the right man to take the club football forward and I believe the board could also feel this which I think helped them make the decision that a change was necessary."

The striker who fired Liverpool to treble glory 25 years ago acknowledges Slot deserves credit for that first-season Premier League triumph. Winning the title whilst inheriting Klopp's squad with minimal transfer activity was no small achievement. But the wheels came off spectacularly in year two despite significant summer investment, particularly in attacking positions.

"I thought Slot did excellent in his first season. Winning the Premier League is no mean feat and also with not much movement in the transfer window as well, so mostly inheriting Jurgen Klopp's squad," Owen explained. "But with a big transfer window over last summer, really strengthening the striker positions, for some reason, I know there was plenty of injuries, but it just didn't progress the way anyone wanted."

Now Owen has turned his attention to where Iraola needs to strengthen, with the summer transfer window yet to yield a single signing despite the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate at the end of last season.

Replacing Salah represents the biggest challenge facing the new regime. Owen doesn't believe it's possible to find a like-for-like replacement but has identified Jarrod Bowen at West Ham as an option worth considering for that right-wing berth.

Defence represents another priority area, with Owen convinced the Reds need reinforcement at centre-back after a campaign where their defensive solidity deserted them. Central midfield cover also features on his shopping list, recognising the demands of a long season require quality depth throughout the squad.

"You are not going to replace Salah like for like, he is a big player and impossible shoes to fill. But I like the option of Jarrod Bowen at West Ham," Owen added. "So yes, I think Liverpool need to strengthen on the right hand side of attack. I also think centre back Liverpool need to strengthen, defensively Liverpool were not as strong as previous seasons, I believe a top centre-back will be necessary. Then I would say cover in the centre of midfield would be a key position where I would look to strengthen as well. It's a long season and it's so important to have that part of the pitch covered with strong back up."

The brutal truth is that Owen's assessment rings true. When your own supporters start turning against you at Anfield, the writing is usually on the wall. Slot's second-season collapse proved that winning one title doesn't guarantee you time when expectations drop through the floor.

Iraola now faces the considerable task of rebuilding both squad and confidence whilst the clock ticks on another crucial transfer window.