Arne Slot is teetering on the brink after nine defeats from the last 12, with the latest Anfield embarrassment leading to a debate over whether the club should part ways.
For the third game in succession and for the second time in a row at Anfield, Liverpool lost by a three-goal margin and looked bereft of ideas and fight.
There was a sense that Slot had lost the dressing room based on the performances on show against PSV, with no signs of the Dutchman being able to turn things around.
Here, Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_), Matt Ladson (@mattladson) and Sam Millne (@sam_millne) discuss whether Liverpool should sack Slot.
After the PSV defeat, should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
MATT: Yes. You can’t expect to be Liverpool manager if you lose nine games in 12 games (and 14 out of 30 – which shows this isn’t a short-term thing).
We’ve seen zero evidence that he knows how to turn it around, the same issues have been apparent without being dealt with. He’s admitted his team can’t defend against long balls and set pieces, yet PSV played out from the back and it was like a training match against a youth team for them.
The players look completely done and I don’t think it will change until a new voice comes in.
Slot will be sacked, he cannot turn it around, so why wait to allow it to get even worse when there’s a very winnable run of fixtures. Delaying helps nobody.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch reacts to conceeding their third goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
JOANNA: As much as you wish it wasn’t coming to this, the answer is yes.
The players did not look like they were playing for him anymore, they appear just as confused as we all are (and Slot too) about what needs to be done and what the plan might be.
As you’ve said Matt, we’ve seen little to no evidence of a plan for how Liverpool are going to turn it around, not even a flicker of an idea, just the same mistakes repeated over and over again.
He sadly looks out of his depth and has shown little of what the idea is with Wirtz or the two strikers, and his lineups give license for players to do the minimum as they know they’ll still be picked for the next game.
Liverpool are not a club that just sack managers with little cause, but it feels untenable.
SAM: No, but perhaps I am in denial.
I have always liked how Liverpool have been a club that haven’t rushed to sack managers, though I can understand why some supporters have reached that point.
It feels at the moment like the Reds are spiralling, but my issue with removing Slot would be that I don’t think he is necessarily the cause of all Liverpool’s problems.
Would Liverpool improve in the short term with a fresh voice? Possibly. Would they be better off in the long run? I’m not so sure.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool supporters look dejected after the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While the Reds were able to win the league last season, Slot is still a coach learning on the job. He hasn’t had to overcome adversity like this in his young career, and very few coaches in history have had to deal with the tragedy of a player passing away suddenly.
I also feel like he shouldn’t bear sole responsibility for the summer’s transfers, some of which may still be successful in the long term.
It was clear from when Slot arrived as ‘head coach’ that recruitment would be a collaborative approach and therefore the blame should be shared.
If Slot was to be sacked, who replaces him? What should the plan be?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 27, 2025: Crystal Palace's manager Oliver Glasner before the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MATT: That’s not my job, thankfully. Others are paid handsomely to make that decision and get it right. But you can’t use that as a reason not to sack Slot if the replacements aren’t out there. You cannot continue like this.
I’m not sure Oliver Glasner is your typical ‘Liverpool manager’ but he’d probably be my choice as things stand. He knows the league, his style of play/setup could/should get the best from the squad (particularly new signings).
The plan should be to have somebody who can use the players at his disposal, because the current manager shows no signs of having a plan of how to do that.
JOANNA: There is no straightforward path, unfortunately, but Liverpool have to assess whether Slot is doing more damage than a new voice would offer.
It feels like he is, though the replacement pool is not exactly overflowing with tantalising options.
The obvious candidate is not clear, but Matt you make a good suggestion with Glasner, and Iraola has been mentioned too.
You need a strong man manager, someone who is ready to motivate and offer a fresh voice and clear direction, all the things Slot’s Liverpool are lacking.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 19, 2023: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
SAM: Liverpool are undoubtedly in a slump with nine defeats in 12. However, it is the longer-term form that is more worrying for me.
Since the Reds went out to PSG in the Champions League, they have lost as many matches as they have won.
This is very worrying, but I think the main reason I don’t want Slot gone is because I don’t want to see Liverpool become a club that is willing to pull the trigger too quickly.
Relationships are key to this club and constant managerial changes don’t allow the fans, coach and players to build that synergy.
Ultimately, you may argue it is flat at Anfield anyway. However, I would still rather stick with a talented young coach than start again.
If Slot were to leave, Iraola seems the best of the candidates in my opinion.