As rumours continue to swirl regarding Arne Slot’s future as Liverpool’s head coach, journalist James Pearce has dropped a key new update.
Slot has been under huge pressure for many months now, with his Reds side producing an awful defence of their Premier League title.
Last weekend’s 3-2 defeat away to rivals Manchester United was a result and performance that Liverpool have produced far too often, and a chunk of the fanbase still want to see a different manager brought in this summer.
At times, it has arguably looked like Slot has lost the dressing room, given the lack of quality and running on the pitch, but The Athletic‘s Pearce has now claimed that he has the backing of the squad:
“Yes. Forget social media nonsense, I’ve not seen or heard anything to make me think differently. Yes, alarm bells were ringing after those chastening away defeats by Manchester City and PSG. When you’ve got players questioning a lack of fight, it’s worrying.
“But there was a decent response domestically with those three straight league wins over Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace, which put them on the brink of securing Champions League qualification. Understandably there’s a lot of frustration over how this season has panned out but I think he still commands their respect.”
Would Arne Slot be lucky to keep his job at Liverpool?
It would be a surprise if Slot was sacked now, and the fact that the players are still reportedly behind the Dutchman is significant for him.
Once a manager loses the support of his players, it is invariably fatal, but there is seemingly enough to convince them that the 47-year-old is still the right man for the job.
If Slot does stay, he will know more than anyone that a fast start is needed by Liverpool next season, following a positive summer in the transfer market.
If that doesn’t happen, there could be a very Brendan Rodgers-esque feel about things, with the former Reds boss sacked early in the 2015/16 season, paving the way for Jurgen Klopp to come in.
There is definitely a risk in sticking with Slot, but hopefully, this season has been nothing more than a blip, with the tragic death of Diogo Jota a factor, as well as injuries to important players and a loss of confidence.
