Arne Slot is facing growing calls to be dismissed as Liverpool’s head coach, but it is reliably reported that owners Fenway Sports Group still back the Dutchman.
Is Arne Slot‘s job at risk? FSG backing and the Xabi Alonso factor
FSG support: Liverpool owners FSG currently retain full backing for Arne Slot. There are reportedly “no plans” to dismiss the Dutchman mid-season.
The Alonso shadow: The pressure is mounting as Xabi Alonso is now a free agent following his exit from Real Madrid.
Unconvincing form: While Liverpool are 12 unbeaten, they have drawn their last fourPremier League games. Slot is facing growing criticism for “boring” football.
Top-four race: Liverpool sit fourth, but the gap to the chasing pack (Man United, Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland) has shrunk to a minimum of one point.
Slot was booed as he went down the Anfield tunnel on Saturday, with those who had paid to witness a 1-1 draw with Burnley making clear their frustrations.
Despite Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 12 games it has been a far-from-convincing stretch of performances which includes draws in each of their last four Premier League fixtures.
With accusations of boring football and the looming spectre of Xabi Alonso now emerging, Slot is subject to intense speculation over his future.
But according to The Athletic‘s James Pearce, Slot “retains the backing of FSG” who have “no plans” to dismiss their head coach mid-season like Man United and Chelsea.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
However it is maintained that this is a situation which cannot continue, particularly as Alonso is now available following his departure from Real Madrid.
“It’s unclear when or where Alonso will look to embark on a new challenge but with every setback Liverpool endure, the noise will crank up,” Pearce writes.
“Slot can only silence it by finding solutions to the problems facing him.”
To put it succinctly, Pearce added: “The clock is ticking. Slot stopped the rot before Christmas, but this remains the most unconvincing of resurgences.”
Have Liverpool owners FSG sacked managers before?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2015: Liverpool's manager Brendan Rodgers before the Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
FSG have previous for sacking managers mid-season, of course, having dismissed Roy Hodgson in January 2011 and Brendan Rodgers in October 2015 – albeit the former having been appointed by their predecessors.
The decision to relieve Rodgers of his duties came after just four wins in 11 games at the start of his fourth season in charge, but having also finished sixth in the Premier League in the previous campaign.
At the time there was also a standout candidate to replace him, with Jurgen Klopp confirmed as Liverpool manager four days later.
LFC Manager Statistics: FSG Era
Manager Games Wins Draws Losses Win %
Roy Hodgson 31 13 8 10 41.94%
Kenny Dalglish 74 35 17 22 47.30%
Brendan Rodgers 166 85 39 42 51.20%
Jurgen Klopp 491 305 99 87 62.12%
Arne Slot 86 53 14 19 61.63%
Data via LFChistory.net as of Jan 18, 2026.
Slot clearly has credit in the bank after winning the Premier League title in his first season in charge, while it cannot be overlooked that this has been a uniquely challenging time following the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
However the problems unfolding on the pitch cannot be ignored, and though a top-four finish is viewed as priority, so too should the style of play employed.
Liverpool are currently fourth in the table but Man United, Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland are all within three points of them and Aston Villa could extend the gap between third and fourth to 10 points by beating Everton on Sunday.