Michael Owen backs Liverpool's Arne Slot decision with 'bright future' claim

EXCLUSIVE: The Reds chose to stand by their head coach despite their horrendous run of nine defeats in 12 during the autumn, while Premier League rivals have opted to pull the trigger

Michael Owen feels Liverpool was right to stick with Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool forward Michael Owen has said the Reds’ strong squad should ensure the club recovers from its underperforming 2025/26 campaign and feels FSG was correct to hold its nerve and stick with the Dutchman, while Manchester United and Chelsea opted to fire their under-fire coaches.

Both Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim were dismissed in the first week of 2026, with United and Chelsea trailing fourth-place Liverpool by three points in the table. However, neither side endured a run as tough as the Reds’ nine losses in 12 earlier this season.

Despite external pressure, Liverpool stood by the man who guided the club to a record-equalling 20th top-flight crown last year, and that decision has already been vindicated, with the side currently enjoying a nine-game unbeaten run.

While performances are still a tad underwhelming, Owen feels Liverpool’s transfer business last summer has left the team in a healthy long-term position.

“I think, personally, it's too early for that [to consider Slot’s position],” the ex-England international exclusively told Liverpool.com, via Casino.org.

“I mean, Liverpool, in his first year, he went and won the league. It's unheard of. He did such a good job. I actually think he's done a very good job in terms of what the club have in terms of the signings.

Liverpool stuck by Slot despite the mounting pressure(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“I think [Alexander] Isak is just an incredible player. I think [Hugo] Ekitike is amazing. I think [Florian] Wirtz is just pure class. [Jeremie] Frimpong is decent.

“I thought they were all really good signings,” Owen added. “I'm sure the long-term future is very good. They bought young. This is just a period of time that they're struggling, I guess.”

Owen also feels one significant difference between Slot’s situation and that of Amorim and Maresca is that the Liverpool head coach chose not to publicly air any grievances he may have with his employers.

Owen feels Liverpool has a bright future(Image: Getty Images)

“I think both scenarios, Maresca at Chelsea and Amorim at Manchester United, happened quickly,” said Owen.

“A week before, there was nothing. In the lead-up to the game against Leeds [on Sunday], all the chat behind the scenes was about Amorim and how there's been a big bust-up.

“So I knew before the game that this could escalate rather like it did with Maresca. And of course, in many ways, it's a very similar scenario.

“Now there are plenty of different departments that all need to be happy. So, yeah, it did happen quickly, but I wasn't surprised at all. I was a little bit surprised with what he [Amorim] said after the game,

“You simply can't say things like that about your team, about your employers, about anything, and expect to last. When you look back at his reign, there are so many points you can say it went wrong for him.”