Liverpool fans left Anfield on Sunday night in silence, anger, and deep worry after another painful defeat that has now pushed the club further into crisis territory. The 2-1 loss to Manchester City was not just another defeat. It felt like a moment that could define the entire season, and possibly the future of Arne Slot as Liverpool manager. The stadium had been bouncing earlier in the evening, filled with belief that Liverpool could finally turn their season around. Instead, what followed was heartbreak, frustration, and growing fear that something is seriously wrong at the club.
For much of the second half, Liverpool looked like they had done enough. When Dominik Szoboszlai smashed home a stunning goal in the 74th minute, Anfield exploded. Fans believed this was the moment. A win against Manchester City would have been massive. It would have boosted Liverpool’s top four hopes and damaged City’s title challenge against Arsenal. For a brief moment, it felt like the old Liverpool was back. The pressing was intense, the crowd was loud, and the players looked united.
But football can be cruel, and Liverpool fans know this better than most. Manchester City, as they so often do, refused to die. Bernardo Silva struck in the 84th minute after a deflected cross fell perfectly into his path. Then, deep into stoppage time, Erling Haaland stepped up and calmly converted a penalty to complete the turnaround. The final whistle felt like a punch to the stomach. Liverpool had lost again, at home, and in the most painful way possible.
The defeat left Liverpool five points off the top four and confirmed their eighth loss in just 25 league games this season. For a club that dominated last season and lifted the Premier League title with authority, this collapse has been shocking. Expectations were sky high after last year’s success, but instead of building on that momentum, Liverpool have gone backwards. Performances have dipped, results have disappeared, and confidence has drained from the team.
As a result, questions about Arne Slot’s future have grown louder with every passing week. This is not the first time his job has been discussed, but after winning just one of their last seven Premier League matches, the pressure is now intense. Fans are divided. Some still believe Slot deserves time, pointing to injuries, bad luck, and questionable refereeing decisions. Others believe Liverpool cannot afford to wait any longer and that decisive action is needed before the season completely slips away.
Despite the noise, respected Liverpool journalist David Lynch has revealed that the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, are not planning to sack Slot immediately. According to Lynch, the message coming from inside the club is that Slot remains safe for now. However, even he admitted that this safety cannot last forever. Poor performances and bad results cannot continue endlessly, especially at a club like Liverpool where standards are extremely high.
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Jamie Carragher shares a similar view. Speaking after the match, the Liverpool legend made it clear that while Slot may be safe today, the situation could change very quickly. Carragher pointed out two key dangers for Slot. If Liverpool crash out of the FA Cup and the Champions League, the pressure could become unbearable. On top of that, failing to qualify for the Champions League next season would be a disaster for the club, both financially and competitively.
Another former Liverpool player, Jermaine Pennant, was even more direct. He believes Slot is already living on borrowed time. Pennant said that winning the league last season has bought Slot some protection, but without that title, he would likely already be gone. The drop-off from last season has been huge, and Pennant feels Liverpool’s current position is unacceptable for a club of this size and history.
Liverpool sitting outside the Champions League places is not something fans are used to. Losing at home, drawing against teams like Burnley at Anfield, and failing to control games has become a worrying pattern. Pennant also pointed to the heavy spending in the summer, questioning how performances could decline so sharply after such investment. For him, excuses are running out.
Arne Slot himself looked deflated after the match. Speaking calmly but with visible frustration, he admitted the disappointment was huge. He explained that Manchester City were better in the first half but did not create many big chances. In the second half, he felt Liverpool were the stronger side, controlled the game, and deserved more. According to Slot, Liverpool gave almost nothing away after taking the lead, only to be undone by a deflected cross and late drama.
He also made a worrying admission that Liverpool are becoming used to conceding late goals. That sentence alone sent shivers through the fanbase. A team with Liverpool’s ambition should never accept such a mentality. Slot did try to take positives, praising the high pressing and improved football in the second half, and insisting the team has improved compared to earlier in the season. But even he admitted that improvement means nothing without results.
This is where the problem lies. Liverpool can talk about progress, structure, and performances all they want, but football is about winning. At the end of the day, points decide seasons, not excuses. Too many times this year, Liverpool have felt hard done by, but the table does not lie. If this continues, the club could miss out on the Champions League, lose key players, and fall further behind their rivals.
Behind the scenes, the future is already being discussed. Reports suggest Xabi Alonso has already said yes to a potential return to Anfield if the opportunity arises. That alone shows that Liverpool are planning for different possibilities. Clubs of this size do not wait until disaster strikes before thinking ahead. While Slot remains in charge for now, the shadow hanging over him is growing longer with every poor result.
At the same time, Liverpool are preparing for a busy summer in the transfer market. The club is looking to strengthen the midfield and has already made contact with a key Newcastle United player. This suggests that FSG still believe in the project, at least enough to invest again. However, transfer plans mean little if there is uncertainty over who will be leading the team next season.
There are also concerns over player futures. Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation is causing anxiety, with Real Madrid reportedly monitoring his situation closely. Losing key players would only deepen the crisis and make rebuilding even harder. On top of that, Liverpool are already planning to cash in on a signing made in 2024, showing that tough decisions are being lined up.
All of this paints a picture of a club at a crossroads. Liverpool are not in full collapse, but they are dangerously close. The margin for error is gone. Every game now feels like a final. Every dropped point increases the pressure on Arne Slot. Every rumour fuels fan unrest.
The Manchester City defeat may go down as a turning point. Either Liverpool respond with a strong run and prove that Slot deserves more time, or the season spirals further out of control. Football moves fast, and patience is always limited at the top level. History shows that once the conversation about a manager’s future becomes constant, it rarely ends well.
For now, Arne Slot remains Liverpool manager. FSG are standing by him, at least publicly. But the warning signs are everywhere. Poor form, slipping standards, angry fans, and potential Champions League failure are a dangerous combination. If results do not improve quickly, safety will turn into danger, and danger will turn into the axe.
Liverpool have been here before, and they know how quickly things can change. The next few weeks may decide not only this season, but the direction of the club for years to come.
