If Liverpool stick with Slot, they can leave him no excuses
The Reds' hierarchy are unlikely to budge on their desire to stick with Slot if Champions League football is secured, but what comes next?
Bournemouth’s draw with Manchester City on Tuesday evening means Liverpool’s place in next season’s Champions League is all but secured.
Only an improbably large goal difference swing on the Premier League’s final day could change things - though some might say that would be a fitting (and deserved) ending to this campaign for the Reds.
And that means that the club can start to make plans for what comes next, including in the dugout.
That the minimum aim of Champions League qualification has been achieved is only likely to strengthen Fenway Sports Group’s resolve regarding their desire to stick with Arne Slot.
That won’t be a popular decision, and not just in online spaces, with loyal, matchgoing fans having clearly lost patience of late.
It is also a risk given that it is not difficult to imagine things turning toxic at the first sign of a setback next season.
Still, this stance is effectively a declaration from Slot’s superiors that it is they who deserve the majority of the blame for this forgettable campaign.
As such, it is crucial that they fully correct their errors by ensuring that the Dutchman has no excuses available to him next time around.
Key to that will be a summer window that has to be flawless in completing a squad that, it eventually transpired, was left half-finished last year.
This season, Slot has frequently cited the inability of his new additions to cope with the intensity of a campaign comprising both Premier League and Champions League commitments.
If he is once again given signings that require a lengthy adaptation period, then making it past the November international break will be a challenge.
As for the positions that need tweaking, they are fairly obvious if this team’s many issues aren’t going to be solved by a change in tactics.
Woefully short in attack, Liverpool have run the rule over both Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola (among others) as they prepare to make additions in that area.
With Mohamed Salah set to be joined by Federico Chiesa in departing and Hugo Ekitike sidelined, the key here is for the Reds to ensure they end up with sufficient options for a gruelling campaign.
It is a similar story in midfield, where Curtis Jones looks set for an exit having been underused and underappreciated.
He could well be joined by Alexis Mac Allister, whose physical decline has played a major part in the team’s struggles and is likely irreversible, but doesn’t seem to have put off clubs in less demanding leagues.
Should both leave, then Liverpool must pick wisely from heavily scouted options such as Adam Wharton, Lamine Camara and Mamadou Sangare.
