Liverpool are preparing a major summer review into the future of under-fire manager Arne Slot, with the Dutchman now facing a clear ultimatum: deliver silverware and secure a top-five Premier League finish or risk the axe.
Despite a staggering £440m (€505m, $600m) summer spending spree on new players, the Reds have regressed dramatically this season. They have suffered 13 defeats across all competitions, endured a string of disappointing draws, and now trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by a staggering 21 points.
With their domestic title defence in tatters, speculation over Slot’s position has intensified throughout the campaign. Sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that no immediate action will be taken, but a full review at the end of the season will decide whether the club backs or sacks the manager.
The shadow of Xabi Alonso looms large over Anfield, with reports indicating the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach is very keen on the Liverpool job. That has only heightened the pressure on Slot ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League last-16 second-leg clash against Galatasaray at Anfield.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has now outlined exactly what Slot must achieve to stand any chance of surviving the summer cull.
“The pressure has been on Slot for a while now. Results and performances have not been good enough,” O’Rourke told Football Insider. “He really needs a strong end to the season to really boost his chances of keeping that job on a long-term basis.
“It’s a difficult time for Slot, but I don’t think any result next week against Galatasaray will have an immediate impact on his future. At the end of the season, I’m sure there will be a review, and maybe then a decision might be made on his future.”
O’Rourke is unequivocal about the two non-negotiable targets: a trophy and a top-five finish.
“He’s got a bit of credit in the bank, and obviously the goal is now to try and end the season with some silverware. Then it’s all about finishing in that top five for the Champions League,” he added.
Failure to progress past Galatasaray — and potentially PSG in the quarter-finals — would significantly damage those hopes, while the FA Cup route to silverware requires beating Manchester City away.
Jamie Carragher has already joined the growing chorus predicting Slot’s departure. Speaking after Sunday’s woeful 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Tottenham — a match in which the visitors looked the superior side — the Liverpool legend described the situation as deeply worrying.
“It’s worrying, in terms of what Liverpool do this season. The bigger point is how worrying it is for the manager,” Carragher said.
He pointed to the Anfield crowd’s boos as the clearest signal yet that support is eroding.
“I think there’s a difference with most support in terms of what we see online compared to the match-going fans. For a lot of this season, when people have turned on Arne Slot, the match-going fans have stuck with him… It’s not easy for a Liverpool crowd to turn on a manager who has won a title less than a year before, but I felt there was a big shift on Sunday… The booing at the end, that was proper booing from a disgruntled and unhappy fanbase. I think it’s going to be really difficult now for Arne Slot to get them back. Once you lose that crowd, it’s really difficult to get them back.”
The frustration was echoed by two respected Liverpool journalists. David Lynch wrote on X: “Completely, inexcusably abject from Liverpool – the worst result of a horrible season. It may well be the case that this league no longer allows you to play good football, but ineffectiveness isn’t compulsory, too. How can Arne Slot possibly make the case to stay this summer?”
ESPN’s Beth Lindop added: “In a season filled with so many abject results, that one might just be the worst for Liverpool. So predictable and avoidable. Not enough urgency or intent to build on their early lead. Loud boos at the full-time whistle. Players look shellshocked.”
Slot retains some credit from last season’s title success, but the combination of dismal results and growing fan discontent has left him walking a tightrope. A strong finish that delivers both silverware and Champions League qualification may yet save him — anything less, and the major summer review is likely to mark the end of his Anfield reign.