Liverpool will reportedly ignore calls to sack Arne Slot and intend to keep faith with the Dutchman for next season – as long as the club secure qualification for the Champions League.
Slot steered Liverpool to a record-equaling 20th league title in a remarkable debut season at the helm last term.
The 47-year-old’s position in the hot seat has come under intense scrutiny in recent months, though, with results and performances spiralling across what has been a disastrous title defence.
Reports emanating out of Spain last month suggested the Reds had been in contact with Xabi Alonso over the prospect of taking charge following his dismissal at Real Madrid.
However, back-to-back victories in the Premier League over Fulham and bitter rivals Everton have eased the pressure on Slot significantly, with seven points now separating the reigning champions from sixth-placed Chelsea.
Serious questions amongst the fanbase remain but according to Sky Sports, Slot’s job will be safe if he manages to seal a top-five finish this season – which would guarantee a Champions League spot after Arsenal advanced to this year’s semi-finals.
Should their target be met, it’s claimed Anfield bosses will be prepared to back Slot in the transfer market, with another summer of big spending expected on Merseyside.
Get personalised football updates every day
Sign up to our daily football newsletter and choose your team to get the latest news, rumours and more about your favourite team.
‘Of course that’s very important because we are, as everyone can understand, focused on qualifying for the Champions League,’ Slot said when asked about the significance of moving seven points clear of Chelsea on Sunday.
‘But I think in the lead-up to this game it was not as much about the league table, it’s also about representing Liverpool and four days ago we paid our respect for the enormous tragedy that happened in Hillsborough.
‘But we also use this for the game today because it’s a privilege to represent this club and today they showed what it means to the players to represent this club.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
The former Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar boss added: ‘The fans were, as they’ve been throughout the whole season, a big, big, big support for us.
‘To beat Everton then in the first game in their new stadium after what I just said, the week we had, is an enormous compliment to everybody involved in Liverpool.’
Speaking on Sky Sports on Monday, former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher said the ‘noises’ he was hearing were positive over Slot’s future, despite the club’s turbulent season.
‘Arne Slot’s job has been spoken about all season. We’ve spoken about it a lot on Monday Night Football,’ Carragher explained.
‘There’s probably a split in the Liverpool supporters over whether he should stay or go, but the noises I am hearing is Slot will be the Liverpool manager next season if they can secure Champions League qualification, which they look like doing right now.’
Liverpool will look to further strengthen their Champions League hopes on Saturday afternoon when they return to action against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
The absence of cup competition means Arne Slot’s men are able to focus solely on their five remaining top-flight matches of the campaign, finishing at home to Brentford.
Their nearest rivals, Chelsea, lock horns with Brighton this evening at the Amex Stadium, where victory would narrow the gap to between the two teams to four points ahead of the weekend’s action.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.