FSG are taking a massive financial gamble by not firing Arne Slot after the Reds once again wasted a crucial opportunity to climb the Premier League table, drawing 1-1 with Spurs at Anfield on Sunday.
By now, you are likely tired, bored and confused by the constant speculation surrounding the future of Liverpool’s Dutch manager, but last week exposed the damaging impact this season has had on the club at large.
Turkish giants Galatasaray will visit Anfield on Wednesday, arriving with a slim but critical 1-0 lead over Liverpool. Failure to overturn the first-leg deficit will see the Merseysiders crash out of the competition in the first knockout stage of the tournament.
Spurs’ late-minute winner at Anfield on Sunday means that although Liverpool leapfrogged Chelsea to go fifth in the Premier League table, they squandered the chance to climb above Aston Villa into fourth place as well – the Villans have a lower goal difference, but are two points better off.
With Liverpool potentially on the verge of exiting the Champions League and, based on current form, unlikely to secure passage into next season’s tournament, it’s time to assess the major financial risks at hand.
FSG are risking £120m over paying £10m
The reported compensation fee Liverpool will have to pay Arne Slot and his coaching staff if they were released before the end of their contracts does not measure against the huge sums Champions League clubs receive for taking part in Europe’s elite knockout tournament.
FSG are taking a huge financial risk of keeping Slot. His reported compensation fee for being fired (£16m) is not equal to the £120m Liverpool will forfeit if they don't qualify for next season's Champions League.
That's outside of all the on-field and behind the scenes issues
— Michael Mongie (@MikeMongie) March 15, 2026
According to a November 2025 report from Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, the sum Liverpool would be liable to pay if they fired Slot is over £10m, excluding bonuses. The Dutchman is paid around £6.6m per season to manage the first team and is out of contract at the end of the 2025-26 season.
In contrast, Liverpool stand to miss out on around £120m if they fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League, according to a BBC interview with football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
Maguire said: “It also has an impact upon matchday receipts. It will mean lower commercial revenues, because there will be bonuses embedded in contracts with senior sponsors.”
When all is said and done, Maguire says Liverpool could forfeit around £120m if they don’t match the standard required to qualify for the tournament.
When stacked against Liverpool’s supposed compensation package for Slot, and the Dutchman’s failures this season, it’s an entirely unnecessary risk.
