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Liverpool's choice to dismiss manager Arne Slot a year before his contract was set to expire reportedly cost the club close to an eight-figure sum paid out to the Dutchman.
Slot was let go at Anfield just one week after the Reds scraped into Champions League qualification on the final day of the season. Liverpool ended up fifth in the Premier League, a significant drop from their dominant campaign the previous year, which concluded with the club's record-equaling 20th top-flight title.
Despite the lackluster title defense, Slot appeared set to remain in charge for the following season. The manager even stated, "I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season," ahead of Liverpool's second-to-last fixture against Aston Villa.
However, the club ultimately chose a new path, leaving Slot to settle for a financial payout rather than another year on the touchline. The Athletic reports Liverpool must pay approximately $9.4 million (£7 million) to cover the remaining year of his deal.
Liverpool Splashing Cash With No Pay Off
When measured against the lavish spending of the Premier League's elite clubs, a $9.4 million payout doesn't seem particularly shocking. After all, Manchester United reportedly shelled out $22.5 million (£16.7 million) to Ruben Amorim to cover the 18 months remaining on his contract when he was dismissed.
Still, more money leaving Liverpool without anything in return is a troubling pattern emerging on Merseyside over recent years. Last summer, the club embarked on a major spending spree, accumulating a transfer bill of roughly $600 million (£446 million) during the window.
The arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké and others pledged their futures to Anfield, yet a season on, they—and the club—have little to show for it. In fact, the team regressed sharply, managing just 60 points in the Premier League.
Further additions are expected at the club this summer in an attempt to strengthen the struggling squad, but that simply means more financial outlay draining the club's resources, with the threat of another disappointing campaign looming following the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté.
Slot 'Blindsided' by Liverpool's Decision
One of the new arrivals at Anfield this summer could be former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. The 43-year-old immediately emerged as the frontrunner to replace the Dutchman, who The Athletic reports "didn't see" the dismissal coming.
Slot had been "fully involved in talks over pre-season and summer recruitment plans" behind closed doors and had even set plans in motion to bring in his former Feyenoord assistant Etienne Reijnen as part of his coaching staff.
However, a dismal end to the campaign, both on and off the field, did little to help his cause. Liverpool won just three of their final 11 matches across all competitions. The Reds closed out 2025–26 without a victory in their last four games, suffering losses to Man Utd and Aston Villa while only drawing with Chelsea and Brentford. Salah's pointed social media criticism of Slot and the club's overall direction also likely played a part, particularly given that several of the Egyptian's teammates publicly endorsed his post.
Slot now finds himself out of work just one year after guiding Liverpool to Premier League glory — though it should be noted that he achieved the feat with the squad assembled by Jürgen Klopp.