Liverpool have no intention of sacking Arne Slot, with the club pledging to afford him sufficient time to reverse their recent poor form. The Dutchman guided the Reds to the Premier League title during his first season following his appointment as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
Yet those at the top at Anfield are not yet considering parting ways with Slot.
The Telegraph claim that Liverpool believes Slot ‘deserves’ the opportunity to take Liverpool into the next campaign, and ideally want to give him four transfer windows before reaching any verdict on his future. Slot has overseen just three so far.
Liverpool are equally well aware of the considerable challenge they would face in finding a suitable replacement. Former midfielder Xabi Alonso had been identified as a potential candidate but rejected the Merseysiders’ advances, opting instead to remain at Bayer Leverkusen before a prospective switch to Real Madrid.
Former Arsenal favourite Paul Merson has already shared his thoughts, suggesting Slot could face the axe should Liverpool fail to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
Speaking last month, he said: “If he (Slot) won the FA Cup, but didn’t finish in Champions League positions it wouldn’t make any difference at all. I think Liverpool have got to get in the Champions League with the (financial) fair play rule.
“The more you get into the Champions League, the better quality player you can bring in. I think they need to get a centre half and they’ll be right back up there again next year.
“They’ve just been off it this year, it’s been weird really, and it is hard when you’ve won the league like they have. They’ve been in a fight the last two or three years as well, new players come in.
“Again, they’re playing for Liverpool, one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s taken them time to handle it, and they’re top-quality players, but the club’s just a huge football club. He will have to get in the top four, I would have thought, otherwise he might be (the next) Tottenham manager.”
Thankfully for Liverpool, their prospects of securing Champions League qualification look considerably brighter, with the Premier League currently on course to have five places in the competition available next season.
