Liverpool head coach Arne Slot may find his role under threat in the near future according to reports.placeholder image
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot may find his role under threat in the near future according to reports. | Getty Images
Liverpool are being linked with a move for their former player Xabi Alonso after he was sacked by Real Madrid
The Reds clinched their 20th domestic top-flight title in Slot’s first season at the club but things have not gone to plan this campaign, as Liverpool find themselves out of the title race after a rotten run of form during the autumn.
There has been pressure on Slot at various points during the season. The manager reached a low point in late November as the Reds lost 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest before suffering a 4-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven at in the Champions League.
Since that loss, however, the Reds are unbeaten. Slot might well have come under serious pressure soon after the PSV defeat. Following that game, Liverpool won 2-0 against West Ham United but then a few days later, a goal-line clearance from Federico Chiesa stopped a shock 2-1 loss to Sunderland at Anfield.
This week, former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid and is now available. Reports in Spain claim that the Reds are seriously considering a move to appoint the ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss who is described as having a ‘clear vision’.
However, with Liverpool unbeaten in 11 games, Slot’s position is more secure while the Dutchman already has plenty of credit in the bank after winning the Premier League title last season.
Pearce said when speaking on Off the Ball Radio: “No, my information is that his job is not in any jeopardy at the moment - and I don’t think it should be.
“Because, Liverpool are in those Champions League places despite all the problems they have had. When I speak to people who are senior at Liverpool, there is a lot of compassion and understanding for the things Slot has had to contend with.
“Not least the tragic loss of Diogo Jota in July. You cannot just overlook something like that. It is impossible to quantify just how much of an impact that has had.
“I think he has made mistakes, there is no question about that. Last season, everything he touched turned to gold. This time around, tactically he has got it wrong at times. His substitutions have not had the same impact as last season.
“There are also a lot of things that have gone wrong that were beyond his control.”
Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist spoke about the possibility of Alonso coming in for Slot, just this week.
"It is where they have come from compared to last season, they were absolutely terrific. And I'm thinking, surely, that has given Arne Slot some money in the bank.
"It is one thing Spurs and Man United fans wanting to change their manager but how can Liverpool fans possibly be wanting to change their manager?"
Stelling responded: "Because Xabi Alonso is available now. I completely agree and do take your point. Sometimes it's all about timing."
McCoist then continued: "I get that too. In my opinion, Liverpool are no way in a position right now where they need a dramatic change at the helm."
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