Patience is running thin with Arne Slot at Liverpool, and Jamie Carragher is the latest to come out and question the manager.
You wouldn’t think a 13-game unbeaten run had just been snapped with how Liverpool fans have reacted to losing against Bournemouth.
That paints a slightly different picture — a more flattering one — but the truth is, it hasn’t felt like a good stretch at all.
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Slot has come under fire, and it has led to more and more speculation about Xabi Alonso replacing him at Liverpool.
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Xabi Alonso pictured during Real Madrid's La Liga match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu (Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto
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Even Carragher, who has fought the Dutchman’s corner for much of the season, has a limit.
Jamie Carragher outlines his condition for sacking Arne Slot
Carragher appeared on Monday Night Football alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to discuss Liverpool’s recent struggles.
He can tolerate not challenging for the title this season. That looks well out of reach now.
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Where it becomes a real problem for Carragher is when the prospect of missing out on Champions League qualification becomes a realistic danger.
As he explains: “When you start seeing where Liverpool could actually finish outside the Champions League positions, because I really fear for them, because as I said, I don’t think this team is equipped for Premier League football.
“Once you start fearing Champions League qualification for next season, that’s when I think we’ve got a completely different proposition, where we’re talking about the manager’s job. That, for me, is completely different.”
Arne Slot looks on ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Burnley
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
When asked whether it’s qualification or bust for Slot, he concludes: “If you don’t qualify for the Champions League, having won the league the season before and spent as much as Liverpool did, I don’t think you’ve got a leg to stand on.”
It’s painful to imagine Thursday night fixtures at Anfield. It should be unthinkable.
It hasn’t gotten that bad yet, but the problem is, when do you know that’s where we’re headed?
Where Liverpool need to draw the line with Slot
If Liverpool are languishing at the lower end of the European spots come March, surely something has to give.
As it stands, Liverpool aren’t at that panic line yet. If the habit of dropping points continues, there will come a breaking point.
What’s vitally important for Slot is to go deep in the other competitions.
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Qarabag players line up for a squad picture before their UEFA Champions League match against Ajax at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Resul Rehimov/Anadolu).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Resul Rehimov/Anadolu
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If Liverpool were to crash out of the Champions League in similar fashion to last season, it would suck all hope out of the season and possibly bring that line forward.
Some fans would probably accept a failed season to get the manager change they desperately want. For the majority, though, a turnaround in form and a strong end to the campaign would be the preferable option.
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