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Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group believe Arne Slot will remain in charge next season, according to The Telegraph. The 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain has left Liverpool on the brink of Champions League elimination, increasing pressure on Slot.
However, the mood within FSG, along with key figures Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, remains supportive. The view is that Slot deserves more time, with the transition from Jurgen Klopp in 2024 considered more complex than last season’s title success suggested.
While results have dipped, the club believe there are mitigating factors, including squad transition and a decline in form from key players such as Mohamed Salah. Virgil van Dijk has also described the current period as “the end of an era.”
FSG are prepared to judge Slot over multiple transfer windows, with the belief he needs time to reshape the squad. Slot remains heavily involved in summer recruitment plans, with a deal already agreed for Rennes defender Jérémy Jacquet.
Despite speculation linking Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard to the role, there is no clear indication of a managerial change. Slot is under contract until the end of next season, and the club intend to continue with him through that period.
Liverpool face Fulham this weekend before a decisive second leg against PSG, with a challenging run of fixtures ahead that could further test support for the manager.
Arne Slot’s side suffered just four defeats before facing PSG last season, but that number has risen to 16 in the current campaign, leaving Liverpool battling to secure Champions League qualification.
Slot switched to a five-man defence against PSG, yet his team still conceded 17 shots, with the reigning champions threatening to score more.
The Liverpool manager admitted his side are in “survival mode” after a performance described as “toothless.” Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia got the goals, though the scoreline could have been heavier, with Slot’s team largely focused on defending in the final 25 minutes in Paris.
“We were in survival mode for large parts of the game. But maybe also in the period of the season where we were in survival mode,” he said.
“PSG was the better team. But we didn’t give up and that’s why we have a chance now still in this tie. “In the last part of the game it was more about surviving than having a chance.
“I think this was a 20-25 minutes where we were only defending and Mo has so many qualities, but to be 20-25 minutes defending in his own box, I think it is better for him to save his energy for games coming up.
“Because they kept us alive by not scoring a few open chances. And now we can bring the tie back to Anfield. Not unfortunately, but in between there’s still a very important game to be played for us against Fulham. Just in terms of the system, you’ve not used it before.”
