How the next six Liverpool games really could determine whether Arne Slot is sacked - opinion
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Arne Slot may have been forgiven for feeling as though Liverpool’s rotten luck this season was finally beginning to change on Sunday at the City Ground.After seeing Alexis Mac Allister’s would-be opener unfortunately ruled out for an inadvertent handball, the Reds’ head coach likely felt it was just going to be another of those days.But Liverpool kept on going, and with Virgil van Dijk judged to have been behind Ola Aina, Mac Allister did get himself a winner in the seventh minute of time added on. Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images A draw – on top of another turgid performance – would have ramped up further pressure on the beleaguered Dutchman, who has faced repeated calls for the sack this season.For now, Slot surely seems safe until the end of the season at least, but there is cause to believe that the next six games – with Premier League fixtures mixed in with FA Cup and Champions League commitments – are going to shape just how long that will last.Liverpool could soon be out of every competitionLiverpool supporters are clinging onto the hope that they can win either the FA Cup or Champions League this season, but that is set to be severely tested in the coming three weeks.Winning either trophy would surely save Slot’s job regardless of where Liverpool finish in the Premier League table, and the 47-year-old is about to learn just how realistic his team’s prospects are.Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher says Arne Slot deserves praise for subtle tactical switch during Liverpool vs ForestBefore they do, though, Liverpool have a pair of matches against two teams in the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Sunday’s win brought them level on points with Man United and Chelsea, and there is simply no excuse for them not to beat West Ham and Wolves and pile further pressure onto their rivals.Six points would put Liverpool in a really good position, and would give Slot something to hold onto as he heads into two even bigger matches.Wolves away in the FA Cup will arguably be more difficult than the league fixture, but failure to get through would still be a real blow for Liverpool. A new record drought in the Premier League… Photo Creidt; Getty Images/Liverpool FC Playing in the cup on Friday, Liverpool will have longer to prepare for their first-leg, the away leg, of their last 16 clash.
It is feasible that the Reds have either won them all and progressed in both cups, or lost ground in the league and crashed out of both competitions.Slot cannot afford cup slip-upsGiven Liverpool’s form in the Premier League this season, it does not feel as though slip-ups in the next three matches would be fatal for his prospects of avoiding the sack.The Reds have been up and down in terms of results, and it would not be a surprise if they were beaten by any of West Ham, Wolves or Spurs. Losing in the FA Cup will not cost Slot his job if Liverpool still progress in the Champions League, but it will make it harder for him to avoid being relieved of his duties.Lose in both, and it is highly likely that the Dutch coach will not be at Liverpool when the new season kicks off.Last year, Slot could afford poor performances in the FA Cup and Champions League as the Reds romped to the league title.