Gary Neville claims Arne Slot cannot 'afford embarrassment' to pile pressure on Liverpool boss
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Arne Slot is still under pressure as Liverpool boss, even with Champions League qualification in sight, as Gary Neville underlines the importance of the upcoming clash with Manchester United.Gary Neville has given his thoughts ahead of Liverpool's clash with Manchester United(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been warned that his side cannot afford to be embarrassed by Manchester United, as pressure remains on his future at the club.The Reds take on their old rivals on Sunday in a clash that could have implications on the Champions League qualification race, as much as giving bragging rights to the respective fanbase.Following a difficult campaign, Liverpool sits fourth in the Premier League, holding an eight-point gap on the chasing pack to qualify for the top European competition.However, with just a three point gap to Man United, along with a superior goal difference, Slot has a chance to leapfrog Michael Carrick into third with victory, offering a chance to end the season strongly.READ MORE: Curtis Jones has interest from 3 clubs as Liverpool midfielder faces transfer callREAD MORE: 3 Man Utd stars at risk of missing Liverpool game as Matheus Cunha update givenHowever, given the pressure on Slot's future at Liverpool, a poor result the other way could see yet more question marks hang over his tenure in the dugout at Anfield.It was something Gary Neville addressed in the latest episode of The Gary Neville Podcast, as he said: "I think this is massive for both managers. I think this is massive for Michael Carrick and big for Arne Slot."I don’t think either of them can afford an embarrassment on Sunday.
A win for either would be very big and would give them both confidence."There are question marks over whether both are going to be at their clubs at the start of next season. Is Arne Slot going to be kept on?
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))"The game itself for jeopardy and what's at stake, I don't think it's actually that important for either team, I think they'll both get in the Champions League."But for both managers, I think it’s a serious game of seeing themselves against a big rival for next season, a big rival generally. So I think you're right, the Michael Carrick-Arne Slot face-off is, I think, the big thing about Sunday.”On Liverpool's situation, Neville added: "It has been a strange last few months for Liverpool in terms of where they’re at, so if Arne Slot was to come here and win, it would be very big for him.”Question marks still remain over Slot, though it seems as though FSG will stick with the manager when the time for an end-of-season assessment comes around.Whether results between now and the end of the campaign could change that remains to be seen, but Champions League qualification remains a minimum expectation.Then comes a look towards the summer, and further questions will have to be answered, most notably surrounding the direction the club are going in and which transfers will push them in that direction.For now, though, the finish line is in sight, and neither Slot, nor his players, can afford to stumble much before crossing that line.