Liverpool remain firm in their plans to retain manager Arne Slot after the season, even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, journalist David Ornstein has revealed.
The Anfield side have no intention of letting the Dutch manager go despite his difficult second year in charge, with the club 18 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and six games remaining.
Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain has only intensified scrutiny on Slot, after the Reds fell to a 4-0 aggregate defeat against the reigning European champions.
Slot, who led Liverpool to their second-ever Premier League title last season, is under contract until the summer of 2027.
Liverpool Want to Keep Arne Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Ornstein, speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, revealed that Slot is likely to be handed his third season at Anfield, unless Liverpool seriously struggle in their final six games of the Premier League campaign:
“All of our information is that FSG, the ownership, the sporting hierarchy at Liverpool, they intend to stick with Arne Slot.
“Even from the conversations I've had, if there's no Champions League football, that's the intention.
“Obviously, if they go and lose all of their matches like at any club for the rest of the season, we're probably having a very different conversation.
“But they would like to go into next season with him and give him a chance with new signings. And by the way, the new signings are going to continue, from what we hear.”
Slot was heavily criticised for his decision to start Alexander Isak instead of Mohamed Salah in their must-win game against PSG on Tuesday.
The Sweden international made his first start following a four-month injury absence, spending 45 minutes on the field and managing just five touches of the ball.
Salah, who was left on the bench again, was introduced on the half-hour mark after Hugo Ekitike was forced off with a serious injury.
The French international has been ruled out for around nine months with an ACL setback, which will also see him miss the upcoming World Cup with France.
Liverpool Heading for Busy Summer
Mohamed Salah
Following Tuesday’s Champions League exit, Slot revealed that Liverpool will have to ‘sell to buy’ new players in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Anfield side are heading for another busy offseason after spending over £450m on new signings last summer, including breaking their transfer record twice for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Mohamed Salah’s impending exit will force the Reds onto the market for a replacement, as could Andy Robertson’s departure.
Both players will be leaving the club on free transfers after the season, with Salah agreeing to terminate his contract early despite having another year left.
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