Liverpool have struggled under Arne Slot this season and pundit Paul Merson has made a prediction about the Dutchman's future
Paul Merson has cheekily suggested that Arne Slot might find himself managing Tottenham Hotspur should Liverpool fail to secure Champions League football. Slot's side have tumbled from title winners to a team struggling to cement a top-four finish and qualification for Europe's premier club competition.
The Merseysiders currently occupy sixth position in the league standings with nine fixtures remaining. Slot's squad welcome struggling Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield on Sunday afternoon (4:30pm).
They must then attempt to overturn a 1-0 first-leg disadvantage against Galatasaray in their Champions League round of 16 encounter. The reigning English champions also remain in the hunt for FA Cup glory, having been drawn against Manchester City in the last eight.
Yet Merson reckons Slot will face the axe should the Reds fail to qualify for the Champions League, before playfully hinting that the Dutchman could be destined for the Spurs hotseat. Slot was linked with a move to Spurs back in 2023 when they were looking for a replacement for Antonio Conte.
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Speaking to Sky Sports News, Merson said: "If he won the FA Cup, but didn't finish in Champions League positions it wouldn't make any difference at all. I think Liverpool have got to get in the Champions League with the [financial] fair play rule.
"The more you get into the Champions League, the better quality player you can bring in. I think they need to get a centre half and they'll be right back up there again next year. They've just been off it this year, it's been weird really, and it is hard when you've won the league like they have.
"They've been in a fight the last two or three years as well, new players come in. Again, they're playing for Liverpool, one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"It's taken them time to handle it, and they're top-quality players, but the club's just a huge football club.
"He will have to get in the top four, I would have thought, otherwise he'd be Tottenham manager."
Slot has recently indicated that Liverpool represents the 'nicest club to struggle' with while reflecting upon his 100 matches in charge with a candid assessment of his tenure thus far.
The 47-year-old commented: "This might sound weird if I say only positive [things], because this season has not been only positive. The support I have always felt - not talking about social media I don't follow that much - but the support I have felt from the home crowd, away crowd, people inside the building, the ownership.
"What we have done here together to achieve the things we have achieved, is in my head and memory only very special. We are struggling now, that is also very obvious.
"This is probably the nicest club to struggle [with]. This club has always shown in different periods, everyone is there for you. You try even harder.
"It is a fantastic club to work because of the facilities, people, fans, it is not all negative when we don't have the performances we want. It is still a great place to be. Even better if you win the league! Even in a season like this, it is still a privilege."