The fallout from Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester United on Sunday continues. The Reds’ 3-2 defeat to their bitter rivals marked their 11th league loss this season and their 18th in all competitions.
It was another mighty blow for the reigning Premier League champions in a season that’s been punctuated by them. Since the full-time whistle sounded at Old Trafford, speculation over Arne Slot’s future has run rampant once again, despite the Reds still in line for top five finish this season.
In a rare interview, John W. Henry, the head of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the American sports conglomerate that own Liverpool, has spoken about his ambitions for the club. His insightful remarks come as Slot’s Liverpool tenure looks to have been decided on Merseyside.
Liverpool’s principal owner has declared that FSG will not “settle for mediocrity” amid the club’s current struggles. FSG bought Liverpool in 2010 when the club were in turmoil and have transformed them into a two-time Premier League-winning side in the years since.
FSG are also the stewards of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox. They caused a stir last week by sacking Red Sox manager Alex Cora and members of the backroom staff earlier in the season.
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In an interview with Sports Business Journal, Henry, 76, made his first public comment on the dismissals, which have given Liverpool fans insight into FSG’s decision-making, as calls for Slot’s dismissal, from some sections of the fanbase, grow.
View 3 ImagesLiverpool principle owner John W. Henry(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
“Fans get frustrated,” said Henry. “The Sox looked terrible for (their) first 25 games. I remember a plane flying overhead when we (Liverpool) were beating Manchester United 7-0 (in 2023) that read ‘FSG OUT! It doesn’t mean you ignore them, it means you work harder – you don’t settle for mediocrity. You have to win.”
Despite Henry’s comments, and his group’s interventions at the Red Sox in recent months that could hint a change is nigh on Merseyside, Slot is set to stay at Liverpool despite rising pressure – and interest from Dutch giants Ajax.
According to reports in the Dutch media, the Eredivisie team were interested in a move for Slot as they seek a permanent replacement for Fred Grim, who departed the club in February.
However, Slot remains under contract on Merseyside until 2027. Previous reports have suggested that Anfield chiefs are keen to stick by the 47-year-old and will give him time to turn things around at the club.
Opinions on Slot’s Liverpool future are traversing the spectrum. Former Liverpool star Didi Hamann believes Liverpool’s head coach deserves more time.
View 3 ImagesXabi Alonso has been backed for the Liverpool job(Image: Getty Images)
“I’ve heard that Arne Slot will be there next season,” the German said. “I think there’s a case to be made that maybe a change of manager should happen or should have happened… He won the league last season of course so I think it’s a decision I can live with, and I think most fans can live with, if they have a decent finish to the season.”
Yet former England striker Gary Lineker believes ex-Anfield hero Xabi Alonso could be in line to take over this summer. “Would Slot be there next season? Eleven defeats in the Premier League, still in the Champions League positions,” he said on the latest episode of The Rest is Football podcast. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Xabi Alonso was there next season.”
Alonso has been linked with the Liverpool job since Jurgen Klopp announced his departure in January 2024. Last summer, Alonso left Bayer Leverkusen to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid but was dismissed by Los Blancos earlier this year.
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