Arne Slot needs 'convincing' end of season to avoid being fired by Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot will reportedly struggle to survive in his role at Anfield if the Reds fail to qualify for next season's Champions League following a brutal campaign

Arne Slot has his target set, otherwise it could cost him his job at Anfield...(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot could be shown the door as Liverpool head coach should his side fail to secure Champions League soccer for next season.

Having started the campaign as defending Premier League champions and with around $600 million worth of fresh talent at his disposal, the Reds find themselves languishing in sixth place, a staggering 17 points adrift of Arsenal in first. Mikel Arteta's players are virtually guaranteed a spot in Europe's elite competition, while second-placed Manchester City strengthened its qualification hopes with a vital 2-1 victory over Slot's players at Anfield last Sunday.

Aston Villa and Manchester United currently hold the remaining top-four berths, with Chelsea sitting fifth, five points clear of Liverpool.

Speaking at his pre-Sunderland press conference on Tuesday morning, the 47-year-old acknowledged: "Yes, if we don't have Champions League football, it is definitely not been an acceptable season.

"The season I arrived here, we could only sign Federico Chiesa, and that was after a Europa League season. So it does have an enormous impact on the way this club is run. So I'm completely aware of that.

"(We have to be) close to perfection because of the points we are behind."

Liverpool lost to Manchester City at the weekend(Image: Getty Images)

Clearly, Slot understands the consequences of missing out on next season's Champions League and the mounting pressure he faces, with goodwill from last season's English league title triumph rapidly evaporating.

Liverpool's club owner, Fenway Sports Group, is closely monitoring the situation and, according to ESPN, the Dutchman requires a "convincing" conclusion to the campaign with Champions League qualification assured, or he will "struggle to survive" in his role at Anfield, despite being contracted until 2027.

Slot has two pathways to accomplish this, the first being a revival of Liverpool's Premier League form.

Currently, a top-four finish is necessary to secure Champions League football for next season, though a potential safety net may emerge.

Similar to last season, the strong collective showing of English sides in European competition during 2025-26 has positioned the Premier League to gain an additional qualifying berth, which would be awarded to the fifth-placed team.

The Reds' second option is to lift this season's Champions League trophy, which would represent the club's seventh European Cup triumph and their first since 2019's victory under Jurgen Klopp.

Winning the competition also secures automatic entry into next season's tournament. Presently, Liverpool has qualified directly for the round of 16, set to begin in March.

The Reds are waiting to learn their opponents from four potential clubs who must navigate a playoff round. These are Galatasaray, Juventus, Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid.