Steven Gerrard Delivers Verdict on Arne Slot's Liverpool Future Amid Growing Pressure
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard stated that Arne Slot is "experiencing pressure" but concurred with reports suggesting that the Reds manager is not facing any immediate risk of being fired.
Slot guided Liverpool to the Champions League knockout stages with a commanding 6–0 victory over Qarabağ on Wednesday evening, though concerns about his management continue following a stretch of just five victories in 18 Premier League matches.
"I believe he's definitely experiencing pressure," Gerrard reflected during his TNT Sports commentary role midweek. "There's a significant portion of Liverpool supporters who are extremely frustrated. Some have reached their limit."
Nevertheless, the legendary former skipper explained that this pressure comes "primarily from outside" rather than within, aligning with a later report from The Athletic which maintains that Slot continues to have Liverpool's leadership's complete confidence.
Why Does Slot Justify Internal Support From Liverpool?
Why Does Slot Merit Internal Backing From Liverpool?
Following the opening Merseyside derby of the campaign, a 2–1 triumph for Liverpool marking their fifth consecutive league win to begin their Premier League title defense, everything has unraveled. The Reds have managed only 21 points from their following 18 top-flight encounters—Everton has accumulated 26.
During a period covering nearly half a complete league season, Liverpool holds the 12th-strongest record in the Premier League. They've allowed three goals in five different matches, nearly forced their most iconic modern player away from the club, and suffered defeat to a Manchester United squad under Ruben Amorim's leadership.
However, Gerrard expressed confidence that Liverpool's ownership will support their manager based on previous achievements. "I believe they would want to provide the manager, considering last season's success, and any manager at that stage, with maximum support, and they would want to stand firmly behind Arne Slot during this challenging period, attempting to give him the chance to guide the team through this and resolve their current problems," the former midfielder explained.
Just one Premier League-winning manager in the competition's history has been dismissed while defending their championship—and Roberto Mancini was merely two matches from completing the 2012–13 season before his relationship with club leadership deteriorated.
Liverpool's Premier League Struggles
Liverpool's Premier League Difficulties
Statistic | Value | Premier League Rank |
|---|---|---|
Non-Penalty Expected Goals For | 34.8 | 5th |
Non-Penalty Expected Goals Against | 24.2 | 3rd |
Set-Piece Goals For | 5 | Joint 17th |
Set-Piece Goals Against | 14 | 19th |
This remains a crucial factor even a decade later. Amorim and Enzo Maresca both departed United and Chelsea this season following deteriorating relationships with their employers. No such breakdown appears to exist between Slot and Liverpool's decision-makers.
"I also think, having some familiarity with [sporting director] Richard Hughes and knowing [CEO of football] Michael Edwards better, they would want to remain strong and support the manager," Gerrard contended. "That's what Liverpool has traditionally done.
"They're not typically a club that makes frequent changes, so I believe the pressure comes more from external sources than internal ones."
The Athletic maintains that Hughes and Edwards haven't forgotten Slot's past successes. "The pressure is genuine but he's not on the edge."
Who Could Liverpool Replace Slot With?
Who Might Liverpool Consider as Slot's Replacement?
The challenge for Slot is that there's an obviously suitable replacement candidate already available and considering a Premier League opportunity. Xabi Alonso has previously been Liverpool's target, and a disappointing stint under Real Madrid's specific pressures might not significantly damage his standing with an analytically-driven organization like the Reds.
Despite all the wild rumors about locker room tensions and personal conflicts, Alonso concluded his Real Madrid tenure with 24 victories from 34 matches, suffering only six losses. For perspective, Hansi Flick achieved identical results in his first 34 games managing Barcelona, yet was allowed to continue before securing a domestic treble. According to a disappointed Kylian Mbappé who regretted his manager's departure: "He departed before the trophies were claimed."
The Premier League championship that Slot captured last season might protect him this term, though whether that protection continues beyond summer will depend on his performance in the upcoming months.