Like many, Ally McCoist was impressed with the result Liverpool grabbed against Everton, but the performance not so much.
Liverpool left it late, but scraped by with a bit of fortune that felt long overdue. Don’t be mistaken, it was a huge derby win but it did not erase every concern around the team.
There is still a feeling that Liverpool are not fully convincing in their performances. McCoist has made that clear, but he has also been vindicated in his belief that Arne Slot is likely to stay, with this result giving Liverpool a timely lift in a season-defining week.
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Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones celebrate after Van Dijk scores during Liverpool's Premier League match against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (Credit Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Ally McCoist says Merseyside derby win should secure Arne Slot’s Liverpool future
There has been plenty of noise around Slot at Liverpool in recent weeks, and some of that pressure has come from his own supporters. Results have been patchy, performances have dipped, and the mood around the club has been tense.
That is why this derby was billed as such a massive occasion, with the opportunity to steady the situation around a manager who has clearly been under scrutiny. They got the job done, and it has done Slot a huge favour in his quest for Champions League qualification.
Appearing on talkSPORT, McCoist was asked whether getting top five is enough for the Dutchman’s future to be safe.
He responded: “Yeah, I would think so. I do think it was a big result for him. I do. I still think that the Champions League place is absolutely vital for Liverpool and there would have been questions if Liverpool had not — and they’re not there yet obviously — guaranteed Champions League football. I still think they’ll get there.”
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McCoist has been behind Slot all season, and his stance has only been solidified by this huge win over Everton. He does, however, admit that not everything is encouraging.
He continued: “I think there will be one or two understandably Liverpool fans still a little bit concerned about the way the team has performed recently.
“But from Arne Slot’s point of view, I think he will be given the chance to get his team back together again for the start of the season, for the start of the campaign, and to go again.”
McCoist is not pretending everything is fine, and he is not denying that some fans are frustrated. He is simply saying that the derby win should go a long way towards settling the immediate questions about Slot’s future.
Is a fifth-place finish enough to warrant Arne Slot remaining Liverpool manager?
Arne Slot during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool
Credit: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images
Liverpool’s end-of-season ambitions boosted
This weekend was huge for Liverpool.
Chelsea are now seven points back, with Villa and United three ahead, and Liverpool still have to play all three in the next month and a bit of Premier League action.
That run will decide plenty, but it is still hard to see Liverpool missing out on Champions League qualification. If that proves the case, Slot will most likely stay in the job regardless of how certain fans would like him gone.
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