Arne Slot expects Liverpool 'decision' if Reds miss out on Champions League

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Liverpool can open up a seven point gap on Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification and Slot knows he is under pressure to deliver before the season ends

Arne Slot speaks ahead of the Merseyside derby

Arne Slot admits his Liverpool future could be uncertain if his side fails to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Slot finds himself under pressure after a disappointing title defense, with Liverpool having already lost 10 games this season ahead of the Merseyside derby with Everton. The Reds have also exited the FA Cup to Manchester City, and the Champions League to PSG, in recent weeks.

Liverpool goes into the first derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium in fifth in the table - which would be enough to qualify for the Champions League - with Chelsea beaten at home to Manchester United on Saturday. That gap could be seven points with victory over Everton.

But the Blues are among a host of teams chasing down the Premier League champions and Slot is aware of the challenge that awaits his side. And he accepts the Liverpool board may have a decision to make, should his side miss out.

"If we don't, it is definitely poor. And it is up to others to decide what they think about all the other things. We went out against Man City and PSG - who in my opinion are the best teams in the world, two very good managers and very good players," he told Sky Sports before the game.

"But it is clear and obvious that in the league, we are not in the position we want to be in. That is also slightly due to the changes I had to make this season. We have two goalkeepers on the bench and that isn't for the first time.

"But the ones who are starting and the ones who are on the bench are very good Liverpool players.

"It was only 110 minutes that Isak, Ekitike and Wirtz played together. That is the story of the season that I constantly had to change due to injuries and players not being available. That is what it is and I have a lot of trust in my players."

Jamie Carragher didn't share Slot's complaints though and believes the issue of conceding so many late goals has cost Liverpool dear in the race for European qualification.

He added: "When you concede so many late goals, like a team that scores so many, I don't put it down to luck. It is a habit. That is happening for a reason.

"It has happened a lot this season. Is it concentration? Are the fitness levels there? It is not lucky. The manager talks about the tough away games being on the back of European games but that is life at Liverpool.

"Any manager will always try and look at mitigating factors but in the main it has been really poor."