Liverpool were eliminated from the FA Cup at the weekend with another trophy in their hands, but if FSG’s history is any indication, victory will not have changed their view of Arne Slott.
Arn Slott watched on as Liverpool lost to Man City (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s FA Cup humiliation on Saturday means Arne Slott’s only chance of winning the Champions League this season is in the Champions League, but if history is any indication, success in the domestic cup will have little impact on his future.
Owner FSG has previously taken a dim view of success in cup competitions, especially if they can only make up for poor performance in the Premier League. They are most concerned with qualifying for the Champions League, and this could decide Slot’s future.
Liverpool’s poor mid-season run of form all but gave up their hopes of winning the title by the end of 2025, and they were kicked out of the Carabao Cup relatively early on. Losing 4-0 to Manchester City this weekend was a tough blow. Especially since the Reds were at a disadvantage.
However, Slott’s future beyond this summer is not guaranteed, so losing in the FA Cup would have made little difference to the team’s long-term plans. In 2012, under Kenny Dalglish, they won the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final and finished 8th in the league.
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At the time, FSG chief executive John W. Henry made it clear that Dalglish had been given his marching orders as it had become clear throughout the season that changes were needed in the dugout, FA Cup or not.
He said at the time: “If he had won, the FA Cup would have been no different. I think it was clear to all Liverpool fans that something was wrong and something needed to be done.”
According to The Athletic, FSG’s stance on domestic cup competitions remains largely unchanged, with the Champions League earning more revenue than domestic trophies. It is important for slots to be in the top 5, so they can stay at the top table in Europe. Liverpool currently sit in fifth place, one point behind sixth-placed Chelsea and three points behind Brentford and Everton.
Liverpool owners FSG are likely to assess Arne Slott’s future, especially if they miss out on Champions League qualification (Image: Getty Images)
Despite winning the title in his debut year, Slott is by no means guaranteed a job, especially if he leads Liverpool to the Europa League rather than the Champions League. Earlier this season, Jamie Carragher insisted he could not complain if the Dutchman was sacked for missing out on games.
He told Sky Sports: “As champions, missing out on the Champions League, spending £450m and having the highest wage bill in the Premier League – which is usually the biggest factor in determining league positions – I think you have serious doubts.”
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