Liverpool boss Arne Slot could find himself facing mounting scrutiny should the Reds fall to Everton in this weekend's Merseyside derby. Nevertheless, former Liverpool defender Dominic Matteo believes it would be harsh to sack the title-winning manager given the broader circumstances.
Slot guided the club to a Premier League title in his debut season but has encountered far greater difficulties this campaign. Top spot is all but mathematically out of reach with six matches remaining, while Tuesday's defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League extinguished any lingering hopes of further silverware.
Despite the challenging season, however, Matteo feels those at the top of the club need to think long and hard about the manager's situation.
While acknowledging that the pool of available candidates will inevitably be a consideration — with former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso potentially seeking a new role after departing Real Madrid mid-season — he noted clear signs of improvement in the midweek loss and remains undecided on Slot's future.
"Arne Slot will be under a lot of pressure now because of what's probably available," Matteo told the Mirror via BetSelect.co.uk. "Liverpool aren't a sacking team, far from it, but obviously if Liverpool were to get into Europe... that would give him more of a chance [of staying]. But then would a top manager come to a club if they're not in Europe? I don't know."
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He continued: "I don't think [a sacking decision] will have been made yet. Who knows what goes on behind a football club? There's that many people involved at every club, whether it's Richard Hughes or whoever's making that decision.
"But obviously, you have to look at everything and analyse everything and see if there is a better option than Arne. Obviously he won the league last year so I think it would be pretty harsh if it were to get fired before next season starts."
Matteo believes whichever side wins their individual battles will ultimately prevail on Sunday. Liverpool came out on top when the two clubs last met in the league, but Jurgen Klopp suffered defeat in his final Merseyside derby, and there's a very real danger that another loss for Slot could prove fatal to his prospects.
"Liverpool have always been favourite in derby games of recent times [but] I think now it's much closer," the former Scotland international added. "I think it'll be a game that, for the fans, because of the season and the way it's gone, I think it'll be very, very important for Liverpool to get this result, especially for the manager and for certain players.
"If he is to get a result and get a good result, the people behind the scenes might be thinking, 'Oh, yeah, he is the right man to have another go.' Or will they make a decision if the result goes badly and think, 'Is it time for a change at the start of next season?'
"That's how important this game probably is in many ways. David Moyes will be sitting there with - obviously there's pressure in a derby game, but I think he won't be feeling the pressure as much as what Arne Slot will."
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