Arne Slot has struggled to guide Liverpool to a successful Premier League title defence in what has proved to be a disappointing campaign. Now, former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes the Dutchman could face the sack should he fail to secure Champions League qualification.
Having led the Reds to the top-flight title in his first season, Slot, who faced a tall order stepping into Jurgen Klopp's shoes, was widely expected to deliver another strong campaign. However, his side have fallen well short of expectations this time round.
Despite splashing out over £400million during the summer transfer window, Slot's squad appear to have taken a step backwards. They have suffered nine league defeats this season and drawn a further six, leaving them embroiled in a battle to secure a Champions League berth.
Although Liverpool remain active in Europe and the FA Cup, Slot has found himself under increasing scrutiny at Anfield following a string of underwhelming results. Pundit Merson believes his time at the club could be cut short if he fails to finish in the top four, or five, subject to UEFA coefficient standings.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said: "If he [Slot] won the FA Cup, but didn't finish in Champions League positions it wouldn't make any difference at all. I think Liverpool have got to get in the Champions League with the [financial] fair play rule.
"The more you get into the Champions League, the better quality player you can bring in. I think they need to get a centre half and they'll be right back up there again next year.
"They've just been off it this year, it's been weird really, and it is hard when you've won the league like they have. They've been in a fight the last two or three years as well, new players come in.
"Again, they're playing for Liverpool, one of the biggest clubs in the world. It's taken them time to handle it, and they're top-quality players, but the club's just a huge football club. He will have to get in the top four, I would have thought, otherwise he might be [the next] Tottenham manager," quipped Merson, making reference to the relegation-threatened Spurs.
Slot, however, does not appear concerned about his future at the helm of Liverpool. Speaking on Sunday, he said: "We know how difficult it is to achieve what we've achieved last season. We played the League Cup final [against Newcastle], we were very, very, very close to beating Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 round [Champions League].
"This season, I think it's safe to say and fair to say that this season has been much more of a struggle than last season. But still, we are able to win things, quarter-finals of the FA Cup and in the last 16 in Europe.
"I think we've got a squad that has shown this season already that we've improved. And these players will be able to improve much more in the upcoming years. So, as I said many times, the future looks bright for Liverpool."
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