Interview with Reds legend Gary McAllister about Liverpool's Champions League hopes and Arne Slot's future
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MARCH 10: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi on March 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Arne Slot is under increasing pressure(Image: Getty Images)
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Qualifying for next season's Champions League will guarantee Arne Slot's future as head coach, says Liverpool legend Gary McAllister.
And the former midfielder, who was a vital part of the squad that won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup under Gerard Houllier 25 years ago, insists there will be no "panic buttons being pressed" by club owners Fenway Sports Group.
The Reds have lost nine games this term as defending champions and find themselves in sixth heading into Sunday's visit from a relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur.
"Champions League qualification will guarantee Arne Slot another year for sure," McAllister tells the ECHO. "I don’t see any panic buttons being pressed at Anfield. It’s not their style.
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"I think there’s been a massive transition. Obviously, in the season where they won the league brilliantly well, they only brought one player in, but there were some subtle changes.
"There are changes from the style of Jurgen Klopp, but I thought the way Slot handled that, taking over from a very iconic character, for me, he should still get credit.
"I’ve got to say he’s pretty calm. He doesn’t show a great deal of emotion, he stays pretty central. I think he’ll want another go to keep going."
Failure to qualify for next season's European Cup would have a huge impact on the club's finances.
The Reds recently announced record-breaking revenues of over £700m and profit of £8m but much of the upturn in match-day and media income, which increased by a combined £74m from the previous year, is largely due to the extra games in the revamped and more lucrative Champions League.
McAllister, speaking to the ECHO via Grosvenor Casino, adds: "I think common sense tells you the numbers. Football clubs are a big business. It would definitely be a setback at Liverpool if they don’t get the Champions League.
"I don’t know how they set their budgets and stuff like that, but it would obviously be a blow for any of the clubs that have been in the Champions League to then not make it.
"Obviously results haven’t been there. I think they’re now 19 points behind Arsenal. That doesn’t read well, so everybody’s disappointed with that. They won the league last year, but it’s still a must to get in the Champions League because of history and tradition."