Arne Slot has never faced pressure like this - another abject display could seal his Liverpool fate

After the 4-0 humiliation at Manchester City, a dispirited Liverpool now heads to the reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain, where a successive demolition could prove Slot's undoing

Defeat to PSG could be the final nail in for Arne Slot

Saturday’s dismal trip to Manchester City may have greater ramifications for Liverpool and Arne Slot than just one poor result.

“Poor” may be putting it kindly. This was a four-goal humiliation at the hands of the Reds’ greatest rivals for the last decade. Given Slot had two weeks to prepare for the FA Cup quarter-final, the meek, haphazard performance was unacceptable.

Liverpool fans made their feelings clear as they stormed prematurely out of the Etihad exit, many chanting the name of Xabi Alonso. In a season of low ebbs, how many will point to the City debacle as the moment their mind was made up?

There does appear to be a shift among the fanbase. Even those not vocally calling for Slot to go seem uncertain that he can salvage the situation.

If his head ends up on the chopping block, FSG will not be short of justifiable reasons. The most damning remains the sheer number of abject performances this season. At some point, one defeat will tip the balance, one final straw will break the proverbial camel’s back.

The question remains whether we’re there just yet.

So with the beleaguered Dutchman in desperate need of an upturn in fortunes, perhaps the last place he would choose to visit next is the home of the European champions — even in Liverpool’s pomp, PSG managed to overwhelm it at the Parc des Princes last year.

Slot is facing increasing pressure at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

This season, Luis Enrique’s side is not quite at the same commanding levels. Yet, few back Slot’s Reds to progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

Given how susceptible the Liverpool coach appears, a win in Paris and progression to the last four of the competition may not even assuage his detractors. For some, it seems only a seventh European crown can redeem Slot.

Considering how unlikely that feels, the concern will be that his position is becoming untenable. Would a heavy defeat on Wednesday and mounting fan displeasure be enough for FSG to smash the emergency glass and push the big red button?

Even Slot’s advocates must have been alarmed at the number of empty seats in the Etihad away end, while Saturday was pockmarked with the sort of ugly scenes often associated with the end of a managerial reign.

Admissions from Slot, Virgil van Dijk, and Dominik Szoboszlai that the team essentially threw in the towel were eye-raising, while the latter’s indignant response to a fan at full-time didn’t help. Nor did the individual displays of key men — Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, to name but a few — all while the Alonso chants infused social media discourse.

Xabi Alonso's availability has not helped Slot's position(Image: Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher last week claimed the looming presence of the ex-Liverpool midfielder changes the discussion around Slot. It’s hard to disagree. Alonso is widely seen as soccer’s next coaching luminary.

There is a sense of urgency surrounding his position, and if Liverpool does not act this summer, someone else will. Ironically, given Saturday’s events, the next time supporters travel to the Etihad, it’s not impossible Alonso is sat in the home dugout.

For months, that has been the debate: can Liverpool allow Alonso to slip through its grasp? But the team’s regression since mid-February has changed that. Now, regardless of Alonso’s availability, many think Slot must go.

It means the stakes could not be much higher as Liverpool heads to France. This feels like last-chance saloon territory for a head coach who has more than proven his credentials in the past.

Never has he quite faced scrutiny like this. To survive, he must mastermind the greatest coaching feat of his career.