Jermaine Pennant has called for Liverpool owners FSG to sack Arne Slot following the team's poor away performance at Aston Villa on Friday night
Will Jenkins
08:59, 16 May 2026
Jermaine Pennant made 55 appearances for Liverpool
Jermaine Pennant made 55 appearances for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant has brutally called out the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), regarding their decision to keep Arne Slot on board despite poor results this season.
It was another challenging night for the travelling Liverpool supporters. They endured the team's eighth defeat away from home against the current top nine teams in the league. The only game they didn't lose in this bracket was a 0-0 draw against leaders Arsenal.
Not only have Slot's side been losing plenty this season, but they have also been conceding more goals than usual. Following Friday night's 4-2 loss against Aston Villa, Liverpool have now conceded 52 goals this season. This is a new record for the club in a 38-game campaign.
READ MORE: Joe Gomez delivers brutally honest verdict on Aston Villa defeat that sums up Liverpool seasonREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher spotted Liverpool issue on first game of season as pressure ramps on Arne Slot
These newly set records aren't the ones Slot would have wanted attached to his name, especially after such a promising debut season in which he guided the club to their second-ever Premier League title. Despite last season's success, former Liverpool player Pennant believes the club's ownership need to make a decision now.
He wrote on X: "FSG, how on earth do you see something totally different to what I see and 99.9% of the fans see? To think next season will be any better under this management. Do you have unlimited funds we don't know about?"
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool, looks dejected after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Arne Slot looked appalled following his team's performance against Aston Villa(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
He added: "I do not care what’s going on with injuries... reigning Premier League champions should NOT have the same amount of losses as two promoted teams, Leeds and Sunderland. Slot has to go. That is NOT acceptable. The buck lies with you, and managers have gone for a lot less."
Pennant added a final note, saying: "Liverpool FC have never previously conceded 52 goals in a 38-game league campaign. And there’s still one more game to go!!!!!!
"Do you know how many records this manager has accumulated? And not for the good. It’s horrendous. One game to go and still can’t say if we will get Champions League."
Liverpool are still in the driving seat to secure Champions League football this season, but there is a chance that, if results really don't go their way, they could finish as low as seventh - a Conference League position.
Bournemouth and Brighton are both mathematically in the fight for a fifth-place finish. Bournemouth will have to beat title-chasers Manchester City on Tuesday to keep the fight going.
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For the Seagulls, they need Liverpool to lose their final game against Brentford, while Brighton must win their two remaining matches. If this happens, the two teams will be tied on points and their position will be decided on goal difference. Both teams currently have a +10 goal difference.
If Liverpool do secure Champions League football, that could be the saving grace for Slot. Not only will it keep them at the pinnacle of European football, but it will also bring an influx of cash into the club.
Despite Liverpool spending a record £446m last summer, they may need to dip into their pockets again this transfer window if they are to improve the squad.
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For Pennant, the first step for FSG this summer is to find a new manager. Anfield legend Xabi Alonso is available, as is Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola. Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Enrique has also been linked with a few clubs this summer, including Manchester United.
If FSG are to make a move on Arne Slot, it is unlikely to happen before Liverpool's final game against European-chasing Brentford. The west London side beat Liverpool 3-2 earlier this season at home.