Journalist expects Arne Slot to leave Liverpool in the summer | OneFootball

Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool under intense scrutiny

Liverpool’s managerial conversation has rarely felt as febrile as it does right now. After the highs of Arne Slot lifting the Premier League trophy in his debut season, silverware now feels like a distant memory after a sluggish title defence.

Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield was not catastrophic in isolation, but in the wider pattern of only five wins from the last 17 league games, it carried the weight of something more troubling. Against that backdrop, David Lynch spoke to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, and shared his thoughts on Slot’s future.

Slot at breaking point

What stands out from Lynch’s analysis is how clearly he believes Liverpool’s hierarchy are thinking in seasons, not weeks. He says, “I think Liverpool clearly want to get to the end of the season with Slot in charge and they don’t want to make a change mid-season.” That line speaks to a club culture that traditionally values stability, yet it also hints at a quiet resignation. This does not feel like an endorsement of Slot so much as a pragmatic decision born of limited alternatives.

Lynch goes further by dismissing the romantic notion of a short-term rescue act. “Who would they get in as an interim manager? I have so much affection for Steven Gerrard, but I don’t think that would be a wise move.” It is a fair point. Sentiment has often clouded judgment at Anfield, but parachuting in a legend mid-crisis rarely ends well, particularly when the tactical identity of the side already looks muddled.

Top four tightrope

For now, Slot’s season appears to hinge on a narrow objective. “If Slot can somehow limp over the line and get into the top four, then that would be ideal.” Champions League qualification would not erase recent frustrations, but it would offer breathing space. The problem is that Liverpool no longer look like a side moving with conviction. Possession can be sterile, pressing lacks its previous intensity, and individual errors have crept in at precisely the wrong moments.

Lynch is unflinching about where he thinks this is headed. “But I think his future is already set, to be honest. This decline has been so severe for such a long period of time now, it feels like a case of getting to the summer.” That assessment will sting for Slot’s supporters, yet it mirrors a growing sense among fans that the trajectory has been sliding for too long to be reversed by minor tweaks.

Alonso shadow over Anfield

Hovering over all of this is Xabi Alonso, a figure whose very presence seems to shape Liverpool’s planning. Lynch notes, “If he loses six or seven on the bounce again then they might pull the trigger, but they’d obviously prefer not to.” In other words, Slot’s job is not only about performance, but about timing. A spectacular collapse could force the club’s hand, but patience remains the preferred route.

Photo: IMAGO

The reason for that patience is clear. “I think they’ll go for a manager in the summer. A lot of people are wanting Xabi Alonso, who wouldn’t come right now, but it could be one for the summer.” Alonso’s name carries both tactical credibility and emotional resonance. His success elsewhere has made him the dream candidate for many, even if Liverpool must tread carefully to avoid repeating past cycles of expectation and pressure.

Summer decision looming

Ultimately, this feels less like a debate about one bad result and more like a referendum on a project that has stalled. Slot deserves credit for his title in year one, yet football is unforgiving to managers whose teams regress. The Burnley draw, the flat performances, and the creeping anxiety in the stands all point in the same direction.

Lynch’s reading is sober rather than sensational. Liverpool are unlikely to act rashly, but neither do they appear convinced that Slot is the man to lead a long-term resurgence. Barring an unlikely surge up the table, the summer looks set to bring a defining decision for both club and coach.