Jamie Carragher has warned that Arne Slot’s position as Liverpool manager would become untenable if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, amid a sharp downturn in form.
Liverpool’s struggles have deepened in recent weeks, with the defending champions now without a win in five matches.
That run has seen them drop below Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League table, leaving their top-four status under serious threat.
Carragher delivers blunt verdict
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher said missing out on Europe’s elite competition would fundamentally change how Slot’s tenure is judged.
“Once you start seeing where Liverpool could actually finish outside of the Champions League positions, that’s when you fear for them,” Carragher said.
“That’s when you have a completely different proposition when we’re talking about the manager’s job.”
The former Liverpool defender stressed that failing to win the league is not, by itself, grounds for dismissal, but argued that the financial and competitive context at Anfield raises expectations.
“If we’re talking about not winning the league or not challenging for the league, that is collective responsibility,” he added. “Liverpool don’t win the league every season.
“But not making the Champions League from being champions, spending £450 million and having the highest wage bill… I think they have serious questions.”
Carragher was even more direct on Slot’s prospects should Liverpool fall short. “If they don’t qualify for the Champions League having won the league last year and spent as much as they have, I don’t think he’s got a leg to stand on,” he said.
Pressure builds as speculation grows
Speculation has already begun to swirl around Slot’s future, with reports linking Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard to a possible interim role should the club act before the end of the season. However, There has been no official indication from Liverpool that a change is imminent.
Slot, meanwhile, has played down concerns about his position, framing the current campaign as part of a wider rebuilding process.
“Everyone at the club, me, ownership, sports directors, we know what it takes to make the next step in this transition phase,” Slot said. “But sometimes a little bit of patience is needed in that as well.”