Arne Slot’s status of Liverpool manager isn’t set in stone, and despite having a lot of admiration for the Dutchman, Steven Gerrard can see a world in which he is gone in the summer.
Over the next seven weeks, we are going to see Slot under the microscope. The scrutiny around his position is already the highest it’s been since he came to Anfield, and a bad result over two legs against the defending European champions would only add fuel to the fire.
Gerrard doesn’t think Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final against PSG is what will determine his future, though. He places more importance on keeping the pressure on the Premier League rivals ahead.
No Salah against PSG, unchanged at the back…
Any issues, Reds? 👀
Predicted XI Liverpool vs PSG
Predicted XI Liverpool vs PSG
Steven Gerrard looks to Fulham as a decisive game for Arne Slot
Gerrard has stuck by Slot through thick and thin this season, but even he admits there is a limit to the bad results FSG will tolerate — especially with Champions League qualification at risk.
Appearing on talkSPORT on Tuesday, the former Liverpool captain explained how he thinks the coming weeks will determine the manager’s fate.
As he explains: “I must say, that’s why I said on the previous question, I think the Fulham game is just as important [as PSG]. I think, if the ownership sees that gap to Villa and United stretch or gets any worse, I’m worried for the manager’s position.
“I don’t want to see that happen. I’m a huge fan of Arne Slot. I was blown away by his first season, and I must say, he’s a good man. He’s obviously a very, very good coach, the job he’s done.
Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool lifts the Premier League trophy with his team after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League
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“I think the key to this situation will be the Fulham game in terms of, you know, if he can put more heat on United and Villa, and he can stay in the PSG game into next week, I think everything will be fine and in a better place in five, six days. But if this were to get any worse, I’d be worried for the manager, I must say.”
Liverpool can win the Champions League, but it would be a massive undertaking for a side who can’t seem to string together two solid performances this season. The path to get there is as difficult as you could have imagined. It’s possible, though.
However, as Gerrard alludes to here, Slot’s position will be determined by how they finish the league campaign.
For a place in the final with Xabi Alonso 👀Who gets the nod?
Slot or Klopp?
Arne Slot vs Jurgen Klopp
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
The financial benefits of qualifying in the top five, paired with the added appeal a Champions League club has in the market, mean that has to be priority number one, starting with Fulham.
That being said, we all want to see a deep run in Europe to end a dismal season on a more positive note.
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