Ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League return, Arne Slot was asked a rather direct question about Xabi Alonso.
There were a few items of business that Slot would have known were coming up in this press conference.
Mohamed Salah’s potential return, Ibrahima Konate’s absence and the post-Burnley boos aimed at Slot at the weekend.
He might not have been expecting a question on the man tipped to put him out of the job. But his answer was nonetheless assured.
Liverpool could have appointed De Zerbi! He’s lost the same number of games as Slot in 18 months!
Arne Slot laughs off Xabi Alonso rumours
Ever since Alonso left Real Madrid, he has been looked at as the ideal replacement for Slot should his dismissal come about.
During his pre-match press conference, he made his stance clear.
Slot responded: “He called me saying he will take over six months! No, no, no… One of the weirdest questions I’ve ever got. What is there to say?
“I am working here for 18 months and I like my work here. Won the league, struggled more this season, that is obvious.”
It’s a fairly unbothered response from a manager undeniably in the hotseat at Liverpool. Results have improved some, but the performances are still far from what we expect at this club.
That being said, Slot reacted with an air of confidence that points to certain assurances being in place. FSG prefer to keep Slot until the summer at least, and it sounds like that’s still the state of play behind the scenes. He isn’t worried about the sack.
Slot doubles down on response to Liverpool boos
It didn’t help the Dutchman’s case that he seemed completely unfazed by the reaction from fans at Anfield on Saturday.
But that is still his feeling on the situation.
He continued: “The boos…no maybe I heard a few, but it wasn’t a lot. That is also normal that when you draw v Burnley, no one is happy with that. But when the people went home, the emotions calmed down maybe they thought [it was too much].”
A bold assumption, and not one that will make fans feel heard.
Surely Arne Slot is living on borrowed time, when will Liverpool pull the trigger?
No wins against newly-promoted Premier League sides for the first time ever…
Slot has always focused on the football above all else, but it could be that his lack of understanding with those who pay to see Liverpool every week works against him if/when the heat on him intensifies.
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