'FSG already lining up Liverpool manager replacements' amid Arne Slot sack reveal
Liverpool must qualify for the Champions League if Arne Slot wants to avoid being sacked this summer.
That is according to former Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, who exclusively told Football Insider Slot will have to win nine of the last 12 games to seal a Champions League spot.
Liverpool beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday (11 February), with Virgil van Dijk grabbing the only goal of the game.
While the Reds remain in sixth place, they are now just two points behind fifth-place Chelsea after 26 matches.
It is expected there will be five Champions League places available again for Premier League side’s this season due to England’s coefficient ranking.
Why Arne Slot has strong chance of saving his Liverpool job
Slot has come under pressure following Liverpool’s inconsistent form over the past few months.
The Dutch manager led the Merseyside giants to the Premier League title last season, but the speculation around his future will ramp up if they fail to finish in the Champions League places.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed Liverpool will be lining up replacements for Slot in case they fail to qualify for the elite European competition.
“I do think he will be gone if they don’t qualify for the Champions League,” said Wyness.
“I think there will be definitely a move and that will be very clearly what he's got. Now, what he's got in his favour, of course, is probably fifth place is going to get you in the Champions League this year, so he's got an easier chance than ever before. But I do think that is the measure.
“I think Fenway Sports will be very clear on that, and I'm sure that they're already going through all the different potential replacements just in case, as every good club should do. But I think that is the measure, and I think they've got to get it.”
Why 'doubts' are emerging around Slot's future at Liverpool
Wyness revealed there will be “doubts” over whether Slot can achieve the necessary points to qualify for the Champions League this season.
“They've got some pretty tough games coming up,” said Wyness.
“There's Villa, Man United and Everton, so they've got some tough games coming up. There are 12 games left, so I think he's got to win about nine of those 12 to make the Champions League.
“With the form they're in and the mentality within the Liverpool squad right now, there's got to be doubts as to whether he can make it. I do think there would be a change if he does not make the top five.”
Liverpool’s next fixture sees them take on Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday (14 February) before they return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest the following weekend.