Michael Owen names only condition that will keep Arne Slot as Liverpool boss next season

Michael Owen spoke exclusively to Liverpool.com about the Reds' beleaguered head coach and the importance of the race for the Champions League places over the coming months

Michael Owen spoke to Liverpool.com on Arne Slot's future

Michael Owen believes Arne Slot should be allowed to continue as Liverpool head coach if the Reds secure a Champions League finish this season.

The Dutchman is under increasing pressure following Saturday’s dire performance at Brighton, with the 2-1 loss at the Amex consigning Liverpool to a 10th league defeat of the season, its highest number in a decade.

The Reds were helped by Chelsea’s stumble at Everton, with Liam Rosenior’s side beaten 3-0. That result means Liverpool remains in fifth place, a position which is likely to secure a spot in Europe’s premier competition, but it now trails fourth-place Aston Villa by five points, while Manchester United sits six clear.

With Liverpool alive in the FA Cup and the Champions League, the campaign could still end in silverware, but for most supporters, the weekly league disappointments have raised questions about Slot’s position.

However, Owen said that all the blame cannot be laid at the manager’s door.

“Champions League football is essential for Liverpool, and if they get it, I believe Arne Slot has earned the right to continue,” the former England international told Liverpool.com via online casino comparison site Casino.org.

Slot suffered another bruising defeat on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)

“Yes, there are plenty of inconsistencies this season for Liverpool; you can blame the manager, the players, the recruitment, but it’s small margins as I believe on their day Liverpool have the best team in the league, but just haven’t been able to show it as often as they would have liked.”

Such have been the inconsistencies of the sides competing for a Champions League place, several unlikely outsiders have pushed their way into the race.

Everton and Brentford now only trail Liverpool by three points, while Fulham is four points off the reigning champions.

Owen feels Everton is the top-five race(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)

“In terms of the Champions League race, Brentford and Everton are most certainly in it for sure,” said Owen.

“It’s an open race now for fourth and fifth spot, especially the latter as only 3 points separate Liverpool from Everton and Brentford.”

Even more crucially, six of Liverpool’s seven remaining fixtures come against sides chasing a top-five berth.

The Reds face Fulham in the first league match after the international break, while games against Everton, United, Chelsea, Villa and Brentford follow in the coming weeks.