Liverpool have two chances remaining to capture silverware this season via the FA Cup and the Champions League. First up is a quarter-final against Manchester City on Saturday, followed by a huge European Cup last-eight clash against PSG on April 8. The idea of the Premier League champions being out of contention for the title by December last year was unfathomable to many, but that is the hand Liverpool have been dealt this season.
With a downturn in form, all eyes are on the future of Arne Slot, who is under severe pressure as the Reds struggle to make the top four. According to The Athletic, Slot's position is safe for now, with the Dutchman having the backing of club bosses Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards. The kingmakers at Anfield believe Slot has been given a tough assignment this season, with the tragic death of Diogo Jota still hanging over the club. The report states that if Slot navigates this rocky period, he should be better equipped to take Liverpool forward. However, that stance could dramatically alter if Liverpool are knocked out of both cup competitions and edge further away from the Premier League top five.
Slot's achievements of winning the league at the Reds should not be overlooked. He has not shied away from questions about his future this season. 'I don't think it's important if it's fair or not,' he said when asked about his job security at the back end of 2025. 'But that is normal. That I understand. If any manager around the world loses football games, let alone so many as we've lost, it's quite normal that people have an opinion about that.'
John Barnes has urged Liverpool to ignore the prospect of a sensational Xabi Alonso return, believing Slot can steady the ship. Former Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso has been out of work since he was sacked by Real Madrid in January, with fan demand for the former Red growing with every defeat under Slot. Barnes said: 'Well, I understand the clamour because Xabi is a Liverpool favourite. But did he not fail at Real Madrid? Was he actually a successful manager? Of course, don't get me wrong, I think Xabi is great and he did a good job. But he got sacked by Real Madrid for failure, didn't he?'
Barnes added: 'We won the league with Arne Slot and all of a sudden we want to sack him? If he then goes and Alonso comes, suppose Alonso fails in his first six months or first year, are we going to say sack him and bring somebody else in? I always support the managers, whoever they are, because they come to the club because of their success, because they're good managers, and they have to be given time. Jurgen Klopp was 20 points off the top when he first came, but we stuck with him. So I think Xabi will be a great manager one day, but I want Arne Slot to stay.'
