Arne Slot sent Liverpool 'pressure' warning as Champions League race tipped to hot up

EXCLUSIVE: Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith is not convinced that Arne Slot has completely emerged from a period of pressure at Liverpool, even with the Champions League in sight

Liverpool drew against Arsenal on Thursday (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Former Arsenal striker and Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith says Arne Slot is still under pressure at Liverpool, even after a month that has seen the Reds' results and performances slowly improve.

Now inside the Champions League qualification spots, Liverpool looks on course to get back into UEFA's top competition, but is well off the pace of those at the very top of the standings even after a respectable draw with Arsenal on Thursday.

"I don’t think it’s out of the question that he could lose his job," Smith tells Liverpool.com. "Definitely, if things keep going as they are. I know they’ve been on this unbeaten run, but it has been underwhelming.

"He will be under pressure, whether he won the league last year or not. The hierarchy will be looking at those performances and results. So, he needs to turn things around quickly.

"They’re in a position to secure top four. It could be five positions as well, couldn’t it, for the Champions League? But in terms of finishing fourth, because you think at the moment, you’re looking at Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa.

"Certainly, Villa, that could change. But I think Liverpool have still got a good chance. Chelsea under Liam Rosenior, who knows how they’re going to do.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot may strengthen his squad in January(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"It might be quite a close race, but it would be pretty disastrous for Liverpool if they didn’t get Champions League football."

Slot has been missing some key players in recent weeks, but Mohamed Salah should be back soon and Hugo Ekitike isn't expected to be out for long. Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are the only long-term absentees.

"When Isak and Salah were both available, they weren’t firing on all cylinders, but you’re going to miss players like that, whatever you say about Salah’s form," Smith, who was speaking ahead of the Arsenal game on behalf of Best Betting Sites, said.

"You’re going to miss somebody like him. And of course, Isak’s out long term now, so they’re just going to have to find a way. Florian Wirtz got on the score sheet at Fulham, and Ekitike is a goal scorer, so they need to lean on those kinds of players now."

With the winter transfer window open, there is a chance Liverpool could spot a player to sign.

"They need a center-half desperately," Smith said. "They’re so short in that area. Ibrahima Konate continues to look a little bit unsteady. So, you’d think central defense would be the priority [in the transfer market].

"As to whether they can get somebody of that quality, we’ll have to see. Marc Guehi nearly went there, didn’t he? And I’m sure they’d love to get him in, but now it looks like he’s going to go to City."

Though Guehi is of interest to both Manchester City and Arsenal, there is no guarantee that he will move this month. It would take a big offer for Crystal Palace to sanction an exit and he could wait until the summer to make his decision.