Alan Shearer and Micah Richards disagree on Arne Slot firing decision at Liverpool

Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have offered contrasting views on Arne Slot's future at Liverpool, with the Reds boss facing a crucial Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain

Arne Slot is coming increasing pressure at Liverpool(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Alan Shearer has suggested that Arne Slot may need to lift the Champions League trophy to secure his future at Liverpool, while Micah Richards believes the Dutchman merits at least another season regardless of the outcome.

Pressure has been steadily building on Slot as Liverpool endure a torrid Premier League title defense. The Dutchman has also suffered the embarrassment of an FA Cup exit, with Manchester City thrashing the Reds 4-0.

The situation could worsen still as his side heads to France to face Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the quarter-final on Wednesday. Shearer believes this fixture carries particular significance for Slot, with Champions League glory potentially representing the club's only route into next season's competition, given Liverpool's woeful league form.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: "It's crazy, especially after what they did last season and the money they have spent.

"It just hasn't worked for them, they've been all over the place, they've been so inconsistent. He has to get in the Champions League via winning it. I'm not even sure top five would be enough, but it's not nice to see what's going on at Liverpool."

Back in January, Shearer stated his belief that Slot would face being fired should he fail to secure Champions League football for the following campaign. The Premier League currently appears the frontrunner to receive an additional European berth through the coefficient rankings, though this has yet to be formally confirmed.

Alan Shearer believes Arne Slot needs to win the Champions League to keep his job(Image: The Rest Is Football)

If the Premier League secures this position, finishing fifth would be sufficient to qualify for the competition next season. The Reds currently occupy fifth spot, though the battle for the top five remains incredibly close, with just five points separating Liverpool from Fulham in ninth, while Chelsea, Brentford and Everton all lie in wait to pounce on any slip-ups, reports the Liverpool Echo.

While Shearer reckons Slot could be in hot water should the Reds miss out on Champions League football, Richards maintains the Dutchman has accumulated enough goodwill to keep his job even without qualification, pointing to last season's Premier League crown.

The former England international said: "I'd like to see him get one more season.

"This season has been, I don't want to say a transition and I know a lot of people will say 'Hold on, he's spent a lot of money.' But their main striker has been out, they've had a death within the club with [Diogo] Jota, the whole thing with getting players over the line with contracts, the saga with [Mohamed] Salah, nothing has been straightforward.

"I would like to see him with another pre-season and if next season it's not going their way, then by Christmas, yeah, make the change. He's a manager who has won the Premier League, let's not forget, just last season."

Shearer remained unconvinced, responding: "That in itself is a thing that he won the league but he's miles behind this year after spending that much money. I understand what you are saying in terms of the circumstances.

"But you're talking about Liverpool football club for winning and spending a fortune. They might not even finish in the top five. That's why they have to get through in the Champions League."