Champions League spot or bust for Arne Slot says this former Liverpool legend
Liverpool suffered an embarrassing FA Cup loss by Manchester City over the weekend, and now have to turn their attention to a top four spot in the league.
Arne Slot and his Liverpool side were humbled in the quarterfinal of the FA Cup last weekend, and now they have a Champions League tie with the defending champions, PSG, coming up. One club legend knows this is a crucial part of the season for the Reds and Slot, and said that if the dutchman is going to keep his job there is one thing he must do.
Champions or bust for Slot
After a blissful first campaign in which the Liverpool manager led his side to a Premier League title, Arne Slot’s sophomore season has been full of turbulence and disappointment. Things can change quickly in the world of soccer, and the former Ajax manager is now coaching for his job from here on out according to Mark Lawrenson.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, the Liverpool legend said, “If Arne Slot doesn’t get Liverpool into the Champions League for next season, he’s gone. The club can’t afford to not be in the Champions League - it’s the biggest thing.”
Full time: Man City 4-0 Liverpool.
— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) April 4, 2026
Arne Slot suffers the worst defeat of his Liverpool tenure as the Reds bow out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final. https://t.co/vHJInU7zgk
With 49 points after 31 matches, Liverpool are sitting in fifth place in the league five points behind Aston Villa who are in fourth. Chelsea is nipping at their heels with 48 points in sixth, while Brentford and Everton three points adrift of Slots side. The Premier League is on track to earn a fifth Champions League spot, but a top four spot would guarantee a place in Europe’s top competition while finishing fifth would leave Liverpool depending on external factors.
Tough road to finish line
Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad was the worst defeat Liverpool has suffered in the Arne Slot reign. Erling Haaland scored a hat trick as the Reds went crashing out of the FA Cup, and now they have to set their sights on the Champions League quarterfinal first leg against PSG in Paris.
The details for our #UCL quarter-final tie against PSG ⤵️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 18, 2026
The former Liverpool defender, who was a key member of the Reds back line in the 80s, knows the League is currently the priority, but feels like the club need to go to Paris and stay alive for the return leg at Anfield. “They’ve got to go to Paris and make it really, really difficult and give themselves a chance of winning at home.”
Liverpool will return to the Premier League with home match against Fulham sandwiched between the two Champions League ties. The Mercyside derby follows the second leg against PSG, and they will still have massive matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford to close out the season.
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