Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool is in question, making a deep run in the FA Cup all the more important.
The FA Cup draw has taken place, with Liverpool set to take on Wolves next on the road to a potentially season-redeeming trophy.
Liverpool have won their last six games against the side currently stranded at the bottom of the Premier League standings, making a trip to the quarter-finals quite likely.
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FA Cup draw
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If he can get to Wembley and win, Steve Nicol thinks it will make the decision straightforward for FSG.
Steve Nicol says FA Cup would buy Arne Slot another season
There is a large cohort of the fanbase who think that last season’s title win alone should be enough to stick with the Dutchman regardless of what happens this season.
Another cohort would have like to see him gone months ago.
Nestled in between are most fans, who are reserving judgement until the events of the next few weeks unfold.
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Nicol falls into that camp and reckons the ownership would be satisfied with a domestic cup.
He said on ESPN: “I mean, Liverpool, if Liverpool don’t get in the Champions League, winning the FA Cup could save Arne Slot’s job. That’s that’s how important it is.
Arne Slot gives a thumbs up after Liverpool's FA Cup win over Barnsley at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
I don’t believe that if they don’t get into the Champions League [he gets sacked]. Personally, I would give him the start of the season to go again, but we don’t know what they’re thinking upstairs. So winning the FA Cup would 100% make it make it a lot easier for them to turn around and say, ‘Yeah, on you go next season.'”
So while Nicol the Liverpool fan thinks Slot has done enough to keep his post regardless, the pundit thinks an FA Cup win could be his saving grace.
There’s more to Slot’s fate at Liverpool than silverware
The way Liverpool has been run over the past decade, it feels really unlikely that a vital future decision could come down something as instantaneous as an FA Cup final.
Rather, the assessment should be made based on the performances over the course of the season, and whether this looks like a team can compete at the top level next season.
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Liverpool could yet win the Champions League and the FA Cup, but the real test of Slot as manager will be judged on intangibles.
If Liverpool can improve between now and May, he should stay. If not, he shouldn’t.
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