Can Liverpool really win the Champions League this season? Arne Slot had better hope so
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Liverpool’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title appear over after a galling defeat to Manchester City on Remembrance Sunday.The Reds had looked unlikely to challenge at the top of the table having fallen to defeat in four of their previous five league matches.However, after Arsenal dropped points on Saturday, a visit to City offered the chance to close the gap on the Gunners while delivering a simultaneous blow to another potential rival.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Having led the Reds on a quite terrible run, some within the fanbase are growing concerned over Slot.There is still one way in which the Liverpool head coach can truly get the fans back on side, though: winning the club a seventh Champions League title.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesLiverpool should have quiet confidence in the Champions LeagueLooking at the way Liverpool are performing currently, some fans will outright dismiss their chances of success in Europe and many are indeed declaring the season to be over already.But nothing is won in November, and while the Reds are unlikely to win a 21st English top division title, that does not rule them out of continental success.READ MORE: Steve Nicol spotted something seriously annoying about Arne Slot during Man City 3-0 LiverpoolAs they showed on Tuesday, Liverpool can beat the very best Europe has to offer on any given day.Real Madrid were in superb form as they arrived at Anfield, but looked a distant second best to Slot’s team. It was a reminder that for all their recent failings, Liverpool have some of the best players around.It is also worth remembering that the Liverpool squad is still trying to settle and gel after a tumultuous summer.
Arne Slot could be sacked if he does not deliverIn the eyes of some Liverpool supporters, Slot’s failure to put up any kind of convincing title defence is enough for his job to be under serious consideration.Although that is certainly disappointing, those fans would do well to remember that all is not yet lost.If Liverpool’s poor form migrates to Europe as well, then questions will rightfully be asked, but a lot can change in six months of football.The Champions League has always been the Holy Grail for Liverpool, and with the title now likely to be beyond his team, Slot should perhaps throw all his energy into making it to the 2026 final in Budapest.If that does not happen – and Liverpool continue to fall way beyond expectations in the league as well, then that could be enough to see Slot out of the door.It isn’t yet Champions League or bust for the Dutchman, but that is the way we are moving. Liverpool always have a chance in Europe, they have won before with far worse teams than this one.