Today's Liverpool news sees the future of Arne Slot addressed as a gifted manager possibly waits in the wings
Liverpool have two chances remaining to capture silverware this season via the FA Cup and the Champions League. First up is a quarter-final in England's greatest cup competition against Manchester City on Saturday.
A huge European Cup last-eight clash against PSG will then follow on Wednesday, April 8. The idea of the Premier League champions being out of contention for the title by as early as December last year was unfathomable to many.
However, that's the hand Liverpool have been dealt this season. With a downturn in form, naturally, all eyes are on the future of Arne Slot, with the Dutchman under severe pressure thanks to the Reds struggling to make the top four in the league.
Today's news sees the club offer a stance on Slot's future. Elsewhere, the Reds have been urged to shun the talents of a talented manager who's very much on the market.
Slot sack stance
According to The Athletic, Slot's position is safe for now. The report claims that the Dutchman has the backing of club bosses Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards.
The kingmakers at Anfield are of the opinion that Slot has been given a tough assignment this season, with the tragic death of Diogo Jota still very much hanging over the club.
The article 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 the FA Cup and the Champions League - and if they edge further away from the Premier League top five.
Slot's achievements of winning the league at the Reds shouldn't be overlooked. The Reds' head coach has not shied away from questions about his future this season either.
"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. And if that’s fair or not fair, that’s for the people to judge. But that is normal. I think it is that if you lose so many times, that people start talking about that."
Xabi Alonso warning
John Barnes has urged Liverpool to ignore the prospect of a sensational Xabi Alonso return, believing Slot can steady the ship at Anfield. Former Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso has been out of work since he was relieved of his duties at Real Madrid in January, with fan demand for the former Red growing with every defeat under Slot.
"Well, I understand the clamour because Xabi is a Liverpool favourite," Barnes said. "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? That's why they got rid of him. Of course we do like the clamour for ex-players. Steven Gerrard’s been mentioned before. So I understand the way fans are. But this is the way fans are. They're very fickle.
"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."