Liverpool boss Arne Slot is under significant pressure at Anfield after more disappointing defeats with his side in big trouble
Arne Slot after a Liverpool game
Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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Arne Slot's future at Liverpool continues to look increasingly uncertain after a string of shocking results. Comprehensive defeats to Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and PSV this month have resulted in the Premier League champions winning just three of their last 12 matches in all competitions.
The most recent two losses both coming at Anfield by a margin of three has been the turning point for some with Liverpool languishing in mid-table in both the Premier League and Champions League standings. A favourable next few fixtures could alleviate the pressure with a trip to West Ham United coming this weekend.
However, more defeats against opposition Liverpool should be beating could prove to be what decides Slot's future at Anfield. In terms of potential replacements, former boss Jurgen Klopp continues to be talked about with an interim appointment also possible before finding a permanent successor at the end of the season.
With all of that being said, the Echo has rounded up the latest on Slot's future, Klopp and the sack verdicts being issued.
Carragher sack timeline
Jamie Carragher was particularly brutal in his assessment of Slot with the Liverpool legend demanding seven points from their next three games against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds United.
"Arne Slot has a week to save his job," he wrote in his Telegraph column, putting a timeline on the manager's future.
"No matter how much goodwill the manager has, Liverpool Football Club cannot sustain the drop in standards witnessed over the past three months.
"No one knows better than me how much that reality will be hurting everyone connected with my old club. Liverpool do not willingly sack coaches, especially those that bring great success.
"After Slot won the Premier League in his first season, he seemed destined for a long stay on Merseyside too. Now, just six months later, he is hanging on."
Carragher had earlier stated that Slot continuing to select Ibrahima Konate, who has made regular errors this season, is a "sackable offence".
Slot on future
Following the 4-1 defeat to PSV in the Champions League, Slot delivered a clear Liverpool message on his future.
"I am feeling safe, I am OK. I have got a lot of support from above," he said. "It would be nice to turn it around and get a victory, of course, but if you are not doing well, then it is normal that questions are asked.
"I am OK with my position. It is not the first time I've been in a difficult position, but it is about time that we turned it around.
Arne Slot
Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images))
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"I'm not worried. What I mean by that is my focus is on other things than on my own position. I need to do better, and that's what I'm trying to do every single day." The following day, Slot was again asked about his future.
"We've had the same conversations as we've had since I've been here," he said. "We fight on. And we try to improve, that is what we all try. The conversations have been the same as the last 18 months.
"Let down by the players? No, not at all. Although I do agree that our standards, the team, have not been at the standard we're used to. We think we can play better than we do. The focus is on the team not the individuals. If the opposite is happening, we look at the team not the individuals.
"It's not easy to say what I can do different. If you win, lose or draw you reflect on decisions you do in the week, maybe you do it more if you lose. We try to find the answer we need to win a game.
"In the end it's about doing what this club is about - keep fighting, we have to fight together. It would also be nice if we reward ourselves in the moments we play well, because there are large parts when we do. Every small mistake or error leads to us conceding a goal."
What Klopp has said
Klopp has spoken publicly on a number of occasions about his life after leaving Liverpool and possible returns to management.
Most recently, via the Diary of a CEO podcast in October, Klopp stated that it was "theoretically possible" he could one day return to Liverpool.
Prior to that, the German coach appeared to make it clear he does not have ambitions to do so and is quite enjoying life away from football.
"Not at all," he admitted in 2024 when asked if he waits by the television for games to start. "I was super happy with the way Liverpool performed. I watched some games. But it is not like, ‘Oh, it’s Saturday!’
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool in 2024(Image: (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images))
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“I didn’t know when games started. I was just out. I played sports. We enjoyed life, spent time with the grandkids, completely normal stuff, knowing I will work again. But knowing as well, that I don’t want to work as a coach anymore.
Asked whether he believes he will never be a coach again, Klopp responded: “That’s what I think. But you don’t know. I’m 58. If I started again at 65, everybody will say, ‘You said you’ll never do it again!’ Er, sorry, I thought 100 per cent (when I said it)! That is what I think now. I don’t miss anything [about being a manager].”
What German media are saying
The German media have been particularly clear in their assessment of Slot while also sharing their thoughts on Klopp.
BILD journalist Marcel Reif recently stated: “Liverpool isn’t just in a mess. It’s practically burned to the ground!
“The timing of this statement (Klopp on Diary of a CEO) is terrible for Slot. He’s hovering over Anfield like a UFO. All of Liverpool would carry him back on their shoulders. And it would be negligent if they didn’t try to bring Klopp back.
“In Liverpool, the scar from his departure is far from healed. I don’t know what it’s like being Global Head of Soccer and whether you ever start to wonder, ‘Is this really me?’
“He was exhausted after that time. It took its toll. Now he looks very rested. Almost as if Arne Slot has to watch out…”
Bayern Munich chief Uli Hoeness later claimed he does not expect Klopp to remain in his position as head of global soccer with the Red Bull group.
“I could never imagine him as an official travelling around the country, to New York, looking after the various teams," he said via BILD. "And I don’t think that will be a good model in the long run. I also don’t think he’ll do that forever, I can’t imagine it.
"I have always admired Jurgen Klopp as a coach who is on the pitch, who develops a team, who moves a team forward with his personality. I see Jurgen Klopp on the pitch and nowhere else.”