Anfield Index
·18 May 2026
“They should dismiss him” – Liverpool urged to sack Arne Slot after disastrous season

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Yahoo sportsAnfield Index
·18 May 2026

Liverpool’s season has drifted towards a tense and deeply uncomfortable conclusion, with the debate around Arne Slot now dominating discussion across the club. On the latest episode of Media Matters for Anfield Index, Dave Davis and David Lynch openly questioned whether Slot should remain Liverpool head coach next season after what they repeatedly described as a disastrous Premier League title defence.
Liverpool currently sit fifth in the table, enough to secure Champions League football, but only if results go their way on the final day when Brentford arrive at Anfield. The fact qualification still hangs in the balance has only intensified scrutiny around Slot’s position.
Davis summed up the frustration by highlighting Liverpool’s alarming recent form, saying: “In the last 32 games in the Premier League, 44 points. That screams mid table or even lower.”
The discussion repeatedly returned to Liverpool’s performances away from home against stronger opposition. Davis referenced Liverpool’s record against top nine sides, no wins, one draw and seven defeats, before questioning claims that underlying data still supported Slot.
Lynch dismissed that argument immediately. “There is no data that supports him,” he said. “I don’t know what data, they must have some seriously advanced stuff behind the scenes at Liverpool to be able to find something in this wreckage that is positive.”
The criticism throughout the podcast was detailed and relentless. Lynch argued Liverpool have lacked tactical structure for months, saying the team are “getting passed through like it’s nothing” and describing the overall setup as “a complete mess.”
For him, the concern extends beyond individual defeats. It is the absence of visible progress.
“There’s nothing there,” Lynch said. “Nothing good and you’re like the idea that they’re going to go into the next season having looked at this, having watched this and think it’s just going to suddenly be better because they’re going to sign a couple of wingers.”

Photo: IMAGO
The pressure surrounding Arne Slot intensified further after Mohamed Salah’s social media statement criticising Liverpool’s direction this season.
Lynch believed the comments carried a direct message about the manager. “Without question it’s another dig at Slot,” he said.
More significantly, he pointed to the reaction from Liverpool players online, suggesting the issue may now extend inside the dressing room itself.
“So many players liked that when there is a criticism of Slot there,” Lynch explained. “That to me completely undermines his authority.”
The concern for Liverpool’s hierarchy is that frustration now appears widespread. Lynch argued that support for Slot has weakened among supporters, journalists and players alike.
“It’s not just the fans in the ground,” he said. “It’s also the players who have to produce the performances on the pitch are now convinced that he’s not the right man to do this job.”
Despite the criticism, Liverpool still have the chance to secure Champions League football on the final day against Brentford at Anfield. Yet even that possibility did little to soften the tone of the discussion.
Lynch admitted he had reached a clear conclusion about the future. “This season has been miles from good enough,” he said. “The manager is not doing a good enough job and they probably should dismiss him.”
The wider fear among supporters is that Liverpool’s hierarchy still believe the problems can be solved through another transfer window. Lynch strongly rejected that view, calling it “laughable” to think a handful of signings could repair the structural flaws visible throughout the season.
As Liverpool prepare for a decisive afternoon at Anfield, the stakes now feel bigger than Champions League qualification alone. The final whistle against Brentford may also shape the future of Arne Slot and determine whether Liverpool begin next season under the same head coach.
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