Arne Slot warned one head coach could change FSG's mind on firing him
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCArne Slot has come under intense pressure at Anfield this season, with the defending Premier League champions struggling to cope with a number of key injuriesArne Slot is facing mounting pressure at Liverpool(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)Joe Cole believes Arne Slot deserves to retain his position as Liverpool head coach following a challenging second season at Anfield - but the availability of one particular figure makes him wonder whether that will come to pass.Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his maiden campaign after succeeding Jurgen Klopp, and expectations were high for further silverware following a summer spending spree that saw the club smash its transfer record twice with the signings of £125m Alexander Isak and £116m Florian Wirtz.However, Isak has been among several crucial first-team players to suffer serious injuries in a season that commenced on a devastating note with the passing of Diogo Jota. The Reds did manage a strong start on the pitch, bouncing back from their Community Shield penalty shoot-out defeat to Crystal Palace by winning their first seven matches across all competitions.READ MORE: Liverpool Transfer News and Rumors Today LIVE: Juventus advances on AlissonREAD MORE: Liverpool announces permanent Diogo Jota memorial with classy touch addedYet a sequence of nine losses in the following 13 fixtures effectively extinguished their hopes of defending their Premier League title and, while the reigning champions appear set to secure Champions League qualification, Saturday's 1-1 home stalemate with Chelsea was met with jeers from supporters at the final whistle, reports the Liverpool Echo.This has prompted renewed questions regarding the future of Slot, who has maintained the support of owners FSG throughout what has proved a severely testing campaign.Cole, the former Liverpool midfielder, says the Dutchman warrants that support.
However, he believes that the availability of former Anfield hero Xabi Alonso, who departed Real Madrid in January, could give the club's hierarchy pause for thought.Liverpool could move for Xabi Alonso, though it's currently believed no contact has been made(Image: (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images))Cole, who spent one full season on Merseyside following a trophy-laden spell at Chelsea, said on TNT Sports after Saturday's draw: "He definitely deserves it. Jurgen Klopp's shadow is on this club because he was loved by the fans."I don't think there was a better connection in world football between the manager and the fans - the players as well, they seemed like they loved him."But Slot won the league last year and that's got to count.
There have been a lot of circumstances happened around it (this season) so he does deserve (time) but sometimes in football you don't get what you deserve.READ MORE: Arne Slot's agent speaks out on Liverpool contract talks amid FSG pressureREAD MORE: Liverpool's interest in Yan Diomande explained as Jurgen Klopp could play key role"The thing is... Xabi Alonso is available, and you look at the players here, and the way that they play, the Liverpool board might think of moving (Slot on)."I don't think he deserves it personally but it's a unique situation because Xabi was such a big player here, and he's an impressive young manager, and you might not get another chance to get him."Liverpool return to action on Friday night at Aston Villa (8pm kick-off), where a win for either side will secure a place in next season's Champions League.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Arne SlotFSGLiverpool FC