Arne Slot has seen his future as Liverpool manager called into question by fans across the 2025/26 season.
The second-half display against Arsenal earlier this week was a welcome reprieve from some of the poor form we have seen from the Reds over the last several months.
But even during the first half of that meeting, Liverpool fans were calling for Slot’s dismissal.
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The title race is already over at Anfield, and there is little left to play for this season, barring potential runs in the Champions League and FA Cup.
Is winning the FA Cup enough to keep Arne Slot in a job beyond 2025/26? If not, why? 🤔
Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts The Emirates FA Cup trophy after their sides victory during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
Photo by Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
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On that front, Liverpool will face Barnsley in a third-round tie this coming Monday.
Chris Sutton predicts Liverpool vs Barnsley
Barnsley have been stuck in League One for several years now, but their record against Liverpool is actually decent, winning two of their last three meetings.
The most recent outing between the pair came in this competition back in 2008, when the Yorkshire outfit secured a 2-1 win at Anfield.
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Should Liverpool taste defeat again on Monday, BBC pundit Chris Sutton Slot ‘would be under serious pressure’.
Sutton predicted a 4-1 win for the Reds and said: “Liverpool boss Arne Slot will have learnt his lesson about the cup after last season, when his side crashed out to Plymouth after he made 10 changes.
“Slot needs an FA Cup run this season, so I am sure he will not risk another upset here. If Liverpool were to lose this, he would be under serious pressure.
“I am just not convinced by the way his side are playing at the moment, and I don’t think many Liverpool fans are either.
“Even so, they are at home to a League One side, and this should be a pretty routine victory.”
Which of Liverpool’s last XI to play Barnsley would you pick to play Monday’s game?
There's no way this team should have lost 🫣
Liverpool throwback XI vs Barnsley
This was the last time the two clubs met…
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Arne Slot will not ‘have learnt his lesson’
Sutton thinks that because Liverpool were on the wrong end of an upset in the FA Cup last season, he will not make as many changes this time around.
However, that does seem very unlikely to be the case, based on a couple of factors.
Firstly, Liverpool crashed out of the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace in October when the Dutchman put out a weak eleven that included only two players from the starting line-up of their most recent game (Alexis Mac Allister and Milos Kerkez).
Secondly, even if Slot wanted to name a strong team, he probably can’t afford to right now.
A number of players are either injured, nursing issues or in Mohamed Salah’s case, on international duty.
And given how many games Liverpool are having to play this month, a meeting with third-tier opposition is, whether fans like it or not, the best time to rest your top talents and hand youngsters a chance.
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