Liverpool Football Club faces a multi-million pound financial decision as pressure mounts on manager Arne Slot following a catastrophic run of results that has left the Premier League champions languishing in 13th position.
Disastrous Form Piles Pressure on Dutch Manager
The Reds' alarming slump hit rock bottom with an embarrassing 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League, marking their ninth loss in just twelve matches across all competitions. This dramatic collapse in form comes despite the club reinforcing their title-winning squad with approximately £500 million in new signings, including British record transfers for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Both high-profile acquisitions, along with other new arrivals like Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike, have struggled to adapt to the Premier League, contributing to the team's shocking decline. Liverpool's current trajectory projects them to finish with just 63 points, which would represent the fifth-worst title defence in Premier League history.
The £10 Million Pound Question
With Slot only eighteen months into his three-year contract signed in 2024, terminating his employment presents significant financial complications for the Anfield hierarchy. According to reports, the Dutch manager earns £6.6 million annually, making his potential severance package worth approximately £10 million.
This substantial financial commitment creates a major dilemma for club owners Fenway Sports Group, who must weigh the cost of dismissal against the damage being done to the club's reputation and standing in both domestic and European football.
West Ham Clash Becomes Make-or-Break
All eyes now turn to Sunday's crucial Premier League encounter against West Ham United in London, which has been widely reported as Slot's final opportunity to save his job. A defeat at the London Stadium could prove decisive in determining the manager's future.
When confronted with sack rumours during his pre-match press conference, Slot acknowledged the team's unacceptable standards while maintaining his determination to turn things around. "We've had the same conversations as we've had since I've been here. We fight on. We try to improve, that's what we all try," he told Liverpool TV.
"I agree that our standards, and with our, I mean the team, have not been of the standards we are used to and that we want. We think we can play better than we do," the embattled manager admitted.
The pressure on Slot has intensified with Liverpool legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher publicly joining calls for his dismissal, reflecting growing discontent among the fanbase despite last season's title triumph.
As Sunday's decisive match approaches, Liverpool's board faces an unenviable choice: stick with their struggling manager or trigger a costly £10 million payout that would plunge the club into another managerial search just months after celebrating Premier League glory.
