John Henry is reportedly unlikely to factor in Liverpool’s poor performance in the FA Cup this season when deciding on Arne Slot’s future.
The Reds were humiliated in the cup quarter-final on Saturday, as they delivered a turgid performance to lose 4-0 against Manchester City.
But while the nature of the defeat may alarm FSG, The Athletic report that Champions League qualification will still have much more of an influence over whether Slot keeps his job at Liverpool or not.
Who was Liverpool’s worst player during the abysmal defeat against Man City?
Some PATHETIC displays 😡
Liverpool players during loss to Man City
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Champions League qualification will decide Slot’s future
Recalling a quote from Henry after he sacked Kenny Dalglish in 2012 despite making it to both the FA Cup and League Cup final, The Athletic aptly demonstrate the American’s view on the domestic cups.
“The FA Cup would not have made any difference had he [Dalglish] won it,” Henry said. “I think it was obvious to every Liverpool fan that something was wrong and something needed to be done.”
Those words carry an uncanny resonance 16 years on, and it is claimed that Henry’s opinion on the cups has not changed in the intervening years.
In fact, his – and FSG’s – belief that Champions League qualification is much more important is said to have been further solidified since.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Alvaro Arbeloa has just shown why Liverpool reservations over Xabi Alonso are completely unfounded
Virgil van Dijk greets Arne Slot after Liverpool's FA Cup match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
As a result, Slot’s job would reportedly not have been safe if he delivered the FA Cup while failing to qualify for the Champions League.
While that might sound like good news for those wanting to see the back of the Dutchman, it is also suggested that exiting the competition to Man City ‘will not seriously influence’ the decision on whether he is sacked or not.
The manner of the performance, on the other hand, may tip the scales somewhat, but it appears that Slot may earn himself a stay of execution if he keeps Liverpool in the Champions League.
Based on their current form, and the Premier League fixtures which lie ahead, that seems unlikely at the moment, but if the Reds can pull off a fifth-place finish or higher, it seems Henry may choose to back Slot after all.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox