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Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sat 7 March 2026 10:00, UK

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Liverpool will only consider sacking Arne Slot if they miss out on Champions League qualification this season.

Liverpool’s top five hopes were dealt a huge blow in midweek as bottom club Wolves beat them 2-1 at Molineux.

Andre’s late strike saw the Reds return to Merseyside empty-handed after their third loss in the last seven league games.

Doubts have emerged over Slot’s future in charge over the last few months, and as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, he could be sacked if Liverpool fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Slot is fighting for his future as Liverpool boss right now, and they are currently on course to finish sixth, which would put his job at risk.

Arne Slot facing sack threat if Liverpool miss out on Champions League

Liverpool have also made it to the last 16 of this season’s UCL, so they still retain a chance of qualifying for the 2026-27 competition by winning this one in Budapest in May.

Their form clearly needs to improve on all fronts, however, with an FA Cup win or deep run in the Champions League possibly not enough to save Slot’s job if they finish outside of the Premier League top five.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “Yeah, it’s been a very inconsistent campaign, (with some) very damaging defeats like the one in midweek to Wolves.

“I think the only way he will be sacked would be if Liverpool failed to achieve their goal of qualifying for the Champions League, because that would be a huge blow to them financially as well.

“Look, Arne Slot obviously finds himself under pressure, because it was the fifth time that Liverpool have conceded an injury time winner this season, which is a new record as well.

“There was a real missed opportunity against Wolves to pile pressure on the rest of those teams in the race for the Champions League.

“If things don’t improve, and Liverpool were to miss out on the Champions League, it will put serious question marks over Slot’s long-term future.

Rio Ngumoha could leave Liverpool on loan this summer

Slot’s handling of young Reds winger Ngumoha has left a lot of supporters frustrated, especially given the poor form of Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah and Jeremie Frimpong.

The 17-year-old has made an impact off the bench in several Premier League games this season, but all three of his senior starts have been in cup matches so far.

Sources have told Football Insider that Liverpool could loan Ngumoha out in the summer if he is not getting enough game time.

Such a decision would surely not go down well with many fans, and may well push Slot closer to the exit door.