“It would be difficult to defend him” – Jamie Carragher shares thoughts on Arne Slot’s Liverpool future | OneFootball

Arne Slot Under Pressure After Liverpool’s Defeat to Manchester City

Liverpool’s latest setback against Manchester City has sharpened the conversation around expectations at Anfield. For a club that lifted the Premier League title under Arne Slot in 2024/25, the standards remain exacting, and the margin for error has narrowed as the race for Champions League places intensifies.

Champions League Qualification Now Central To Season

Defeat to a direct rival has left Liverpool supporters assessing the table with renewed urgency. With competition for the top spots tightening, attention has turned to the evolving UEFA format, which could allow fifth place to secure entry into the Champions League if English clubs perform strongly across European competitions.

That pathway offers a measure of hope, yet it also underlines the pressure on Arne Slot to deliver results quickly. Missing out on Europe’s premier competition would carry consequences, both sporting and financial, and the scrutiny around Liverpool’s trajectory has increased accordingly.

Jamie Carragher addressed the stakes directly on Sky Sports, stating, “I think it would be difficult to defend the manager or for him to stay in a job if you miss out on Champions League football, having won the title the season before.”

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Carragher’s Verdict After Manchester City Loss

The former Liverpool defender did not soften his assessment of the defeat or its wider implications. “It’s a bad one,’ Carragher said Liverpool’s defeat. “When you look at the league for Liverpool, it looks like a long way to get into the top five Champions League positions.”

He also highlighted the growing gap that Slot’s side must now bridge. “There’s a gap now. You can make that up but Liverpool will have to do well in the two cup competitions to save the season. It looks a long way back.”

Carragher’s analysis reflects the reality of a congested table where dropped points carry heavier weight as the run in approaches. Liverpool’s recent results have left them chasing rather than setting the pace, a position that demands consistency across league and cup fixtures.

Attacking Balance Remains A Concern

Beyond results, Carragher questioned the structural balance within the squad, particularly in forward areas. “The manager has another decision to make on the front four,’” he said.

His concern centres on game control and defensive stability. “If Liverpool continue the way they are, with a front four and the games end-to-end, I just don’t see how they can make the Champions League positions.”

Carragher went further, suggesting the issues run deeper than selection alone. “But no matter what Arne Slot does, the make-up of this squad and team isn’t right. It never looks stable, they are never in control.”

For Liverpool, the path back into the Champions League places requires sharper in game management and a clearer balance between attack and control. Carragher concluded with a warning that will resonate around Anfield. “There is a long road ahead for Liverpool to make the Champions League places.”

With fixtures mounting and expectations unchanged, Arne Slot faces a defining stretch that will shape both Liverpool’s season and the broader assessment of his tenure.