Steven Gerrard believes Fulham could be a pivotal match in Arne Slot's Liverpool tenure.
The 45-year-old feels that a win over the Cottagers can keep the pressure on Manchester United and Aston Villa in the top four. However, a failure to beat Fulham at Anfield on April 14 and a catastrophic defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League would leave the Liverpool icon worried.
Liverpool have the chance to dust themselves down against PSG in the elite European competition days after their 4-0 humiliation at the hands of rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup. But in coming up against the Champions League holders, it poses a difficult propsect for the fragile Reds, with Virgil van Dijk admitting that they 'gave up' in Greater Manchester.
Gerrard reaffirmed his hopes that the Premier League-winning manager can turn around fortunes on Merseyside. The iconic Liverpool captain talked up the importance of Champions League qualification at Anfield
He told talkSPORT: "The players have admitted it, the manager has, it's not good enough. It's a huge week, they've got to stand up and be counted, stick together and grasp the opportunity to put pressure on Aston Villa and Manchester United against Fulham, which is arguably as important.
"They've got to give everything against PSG and take them to Anfield, try and galvanise the season, if it goes the other way, unfortunately, the pressure, heat, intensity comes on the players and Arne Slot. From a fan's point of view, I don't want to see it.
"It's key, that's why I say I think the Fulham game is just as important. If the ownership sees that gap to Villa or United stretch, I worry for the manager's position.
"I don't want to see it happen, I'm a huge fan, I was blown away by his first season, he's a good man, a very good coach after what he's done. The key to the situation is the Fulham game.
"If he can put more heat on Villa and United and stay in the PSG game, everything will be fine and in a better place in six days' time. If this was to get worse, I'd be worried for the manager, I must say."
Marco Silva's Fulham visit Liverpool on Saturday (April 11) with the Cottagers' encounter at Anfield sandwiched between the gruelling Champions League schedule.
Liverpool sit fifth, five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and six points off Manchester United while they have a precarious cushion over Chelsea, Brentford and Everton.
Fulham are five points off the Reds and a win can ignite their European hopes under the former Blues manager.
Liverpool can reduce the deficit to their Champions League rivals and create some breathing space from the chasing pack against Fulham in Saturday's late kick-off.
The Blues travel to Brentford and unless there is a significant goal difference swing, Liverpool are likely to remain above the two clubs.
Win for Liverpool over Fulham can create a bit of pressure on the teams above them with Aston Villa travelling to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday (2pm kick-off) while Chelsea host Manchester City (Sunday 4.30pm) before the Red Devils take on Leeds United (Monday at 8pm).
Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals where they face Paris Saint-Germain on April 8. Fans can watch the game on Prime Video's TNT Sports channel.
