In a stunning update from Anfield, Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have made a shock decision on Arne Slot’s future following the Reds’ painful 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
Despite the latest setback leaving the reigning Premier League champions five points adrift of the top four and sparking fresh questions over Slot’s position, trusted sources confirm that the Dutchman’s job remains safe for now.
The dramatic late collapse at Anfield has intensified scrutiny on Slot, who guided Liverpool to the title in his debut season but has overseen a sharp decline in 2025/26.
Liverpool appeared on course for a vital three points when Dominik Szoboszlai produced a wonder strike on 74 minutes, firing the Reds into a 1-0 lead. A win would have boosted their Champions League qualification hopes and dealt a major blow to Manchester City’s title challenge.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side mounted a remarkable comeback. Bernardo Silva equalised in the 84th minute with a deflected effort, before Erling Haaland converted a stoppage-time penalty in the 90+3rd minute to seal a 2-1 victory. The result could have been even more emphatic, but for one of the most bizarre VAR interventions in recent memory, which denied City substitute Rayan Cherki what would have been a third goal.
It marked Liverpool’s eighth defeat in 25 Premier League games this season — a stark contrast to their title-winning campaign. Slot has now won just one of the team’s last seven top-flight matches, leaving the club outside the top five and facing a fight to secure Champions League football next term.
FSG’s shock call: Slot stays… for now
With pressure mounting and reports that Xabi Alonso has already agreed to a sensational return to Anfield should the opportunity arise, many expected FSG to consider a change.
Yet, according to highly respected Liverpool journalist David Lynch, the club’s hierarchy has no immediate plans to sack the 47-year-old.
Posting on X shortly after the final whistle on Sunday February 8, Lynch wrote:
“The word from Liverpool is that Arne Slot is safe, but I don’t really buy the idea he can afford endless poor performances and bad results until the end of the season. Today was both, in my opinion.”
This revelation — that FSG are standing by Slot despite the “truly dreadful day” — has sent shockwaves through the fanbase and media. Many supporters and pundits anticipated a swift decision after another Anfield collapse.
Carragher and Pennant sound the alarm
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports after the match, acknowledged the club’s stance but warned that the situation remains fragile.
Carragher stated that bosses have made it clear Slot is safe for now, but “the situation could change rapidly if Liverpool crash out of the FA Cup and Champions League.” He added that the Reds “have it all to do” if they are to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Another ex-Red, Jermaine Pennant, was even more blunt in an exclusive interview with TEAMtalk.
“It might seem harsh that he is one of the favourites to get the sack after he won the title last season, but that’s the way it is when you are Liverpool manager,” Pennant said. “When you win the league, you have to be up there the following season and trying to defend it, but the performances have not been good enough. I think if it wasn’t for him winning the league, I think he would have been sacked by now. That’s put a bit of money in the bank for him. The drop off is huge from last season. They are currently outside of the top five places for a Champions League spot. That’s not good enough for Liverpool Football Club. They have been losing at home, drawing against Burnley at Anfield, and those kinds of performances should not be happening after Liverpool spent all that money last summer.”
Slot’s defiant response
Speaking to Match of the Day after the game, Slot reflected on the defeat with a mix of disappointment and optimism.
“A lot has happened, which is normal in this fixture. For us, we are disappointed to come away without a result,” he said. “In the first half, Manchester City were the better team without creating many big chances but they had the ball more in our half. In the second half, we were on top and had good moments. We went 1-0 up and hardly gave anything away. Just before the end, a deflected cross falls good for them, and it’s 1-1. We tried to prevent, but they won the first header. Good anticipation from Bernardo [Silva] and good finish. We are getting almost used to conceding a goal in extra time; it happened again today.”
When asked if there were any positives, Slot replied: “Of course. In the second half we pressed really high and played good football. You cannot compare this game with three or four months ago, we have improved so much, but we need to improve the results. So many times this year we haven’t got what I think we deserve, and this is another time.”
While FSG’s decision to stick with Slot provides short-term stability, the pressure is undeniable. The next few weeks will be critical, with key fixtures in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League looming.
Liverpool are already planning for the summer, with reported interest in Newcastle midfielders and decisions to be made on players like Ibrahima Konate, whose contract situation is attracting attention from Real Madrid.
For now, though, the shock from Anfield is clear: despite the disastrous defeat to Manchester City and a season of underperformance, Arne Slot survives — at least for the immediate future.
The question remains: how many more “dreadful days” can he afford before FSG’s patience finally runs out?