Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Arne Slot's job could be under threat if the Reds' poor form results in a new fear for the club under the Dutchman
Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool
Arne Slot's Liverpool side have gone five games without a win in the Premier League(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))
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Jamie Carragher reckons Arne Slot will get the boot if Liverpool miss out on Champions League qualification this season. The former Reds centre-back thinks Slot's squad isn't cut out for Premier League action this campaign, despite their title triumph last term.
Liverpool endured historically poor form earlier in the season, with their weekend loss to Bournemouth bringing an end to an unbeaten streak that had offered some hope of recovery. The Reds find themselves sixth in the table, trailing Chelsea in fifth and a resurgent Manchester United in fourth spot.
Carragher doesn't think Slot should face too much criticism for failing to mount a title challenge this season, but missing out on Europe's premier competition could spell the end for the Dutchman. The Sky Sports analyst isn't convinced Liverpool will manage to secure their place.
"If I think of the big three things that would stand out for me in the Premier League, that you're coming up against, it's set-pieces and long throws, it's counter-attacking football for and against, both set-pieces and counter-attacking. If you're a top team like Liverpool, coming up against low blocks, as Arne Slot likes to say, Liverpool can't cope with any of them," said Carragher on Monday Night Football.
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"We're seeing a team not suited to the Premier League. But when we see them in Europe, are set pieces and long throws as important? No. Is counter-attacking as important? Counterattacking is always important, but not as much in Europe, and nobody is just sitting there in a low block.
"So this suits Liverpool. They can beat Real Madrid, they can go away to Inter Milan and win, go away to Marseille and win and they'll finish in the top eight and be in the knockout round.
"Liverpool, I think, as a club and support, can accept a collective responsibility around 'we're not going to win the league this year, and we're not going to challenge. Not good enough but we accept it'.
"Once you start seeing what Manchester United have done the last couple of weeks, once you see Chelsea. Once you start seeing where Liverpool could actually finish outside the Champions League positions because I really fear for them. I don't think this team is equipped for Premier League Football.
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher has a strong view on Arne Slot(Image: Sky Sports)
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"Once you start fearing Champions League qualification for next season, that's when I feel we've got a different proposition when we're talking about the manager's job. That, for me, is completely different.
"Not winning the league or challenging for the league, that is a collective responsibility, and Liverpool don't win the league every year. Not making the Champions League from champions, spending £450million and having the highest wage bill, which is the biggest determining factor normally about where you finish, I think you've got serious questions."
Dave Jones then asked: "Champions League or bust for Slot?".
"In terms of qualifying, yeah," came the reply. "I think some of the criticism he's had and disrespect from Liverpool supporters that I see and know, is far too much considering he won the league last season.
"But if you don't qualify for the Champions League having won the league and spent as much as Liverpool do, I don't think you've got a leg to stand on."