I think Arne Slot keeps Liverpool job - but he can't fall into Champions League trap

Arne Slot

Emile Heskey says he expects Arne Slot to remain as Liverpool's head coach for the start of next season.

But the former Reds striker has highlighted the importance of Champions League qualification as they enter the final dozen games of the campaign, starting with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The champions head into the weekend three points behind Manchester United in fourth and two below Chelsea, who occupy the fifth-place spot that is expected to be enough to secure a place in next year's European Cup.

Slot's side have struggled for consistency this term, losing eight games so far, which is double the amount of defeats they suffered last season en route to a title they won by 10 points.

But Heskey, who scored 22 goals for Gerard Houllier's side as they won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup 25 years ago, believes Slot will remain in place for next term, which will be the third and final year of the contract he signed in the summer of 2024.

Heskey

"A Champions League spot is a big if for Liverpool and Arne Slot this season,"

"It’s a tough one because when you look at what they did last season, to then go and buy all the players they’ve bought, ideally you’d want everyone to hit the ground running to look fantastic.

"We’ve seen little snippets but you need consistency and that's one of the things they haven't shown as opposed to what they showed last season.

"But other than these little snippets from certain players, once they get up and running, once they get that consistency going again, then I think Slot can be judged on the job he’s doing.

"This season has been a roller coaster so you can’t just judge him on this season, so I’d still expect Slot to be in that hot seat next season."

Heskey, who made 223 appearances for the Reds across a five-year career on Merseyside, added:

"If anything, it’s between Liverpool and Newcastle because of the inconsistencies [for Champions League spot].

"I don’t think Liverpool have the consistency to really put themselves over the line but they’ve still got a chance. If they win the Champions League they are still in it for next season, so there’s that opportunity.

"We say that and then we’d still complain! I wouldn’t want him to [prioritise the Champions League] to be honest because you just never know."

“You see it at the end of the season every season people slip up all the time so if you can get that momentum in the league, then you've done everything you can then, haven't you?

"I’d rather they keep pushing in the league than putting all their eggs in that basket in case it might not come off."

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