Arne Slot's Liverpool tenure is dangling on a knife-edge - it's time to sink or swim
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
SportFootballLiverpool FCThis week's Blood Red column looks ahead to a critically important period for Arne Slot's Liverpool, starting with the FA Cup quarter-final visit to Manchester CityWith just two months left of Arne Slot's difficult second season at Liverpool, things appear to be dangling on a knife edge.For those whose glasses are half full, the return of club football sees the Reds enter the home straight with plenty to play for between now and the end of the term.It all begins with an FA Cup quarter-final trip to Manchester City where Slot's Premier League champions will do battle for a second successive trip to Wembley and a place in the last four of the world's oldest cup competition.After that, attention turns swiftly to another mouthwatering tie as Paris Saint-Germain entertain the Reds for the second successive season in the first leg of their last-eight Champions League clash.Perhaps there are few assignments in world football that are tougher right now than visits to the Etihad and the Parc des Princes but no-one should make those journeys with trepidation, regardless of Liverpool's general form in recent months.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageThese are the sort of occasions that are to be embraced at clubs the scale of Liverpool and while the Reds may be considered underdogs for both, those intimidated by the challenges ahead need not apply.That being said, being bashful and bold ahead of two seismic fixtures is easy for Liverpool, given their historical muscle memory.Recent form must drastically improve for them to have a chance of beating the newly-crowned Carabao Cup winners at their home ground this weekend.
These next two games won't necessarily make Liverpool's season but they certainly have the potential to break it.Liverpool's owners broadly remain supportive of Slot as head coach and those who are the most sympathetic to his cause are still found inside the club itself. There is a recognition, despite the increase in supporter unrest this season, that the Dutchman has had a lot off issues strewn in his path as his team have tried to defend their Premier League title.The dizzying level of turnover and injuries to key players such as Alexander Isak, whose four-month absence will come to an end this weekend, are seen as factors beyond Slot's control.He has also had to lead the team through the aftermath of Diogo Jota's sudden and shock death last summer, which cannot be underestimated by those who were not burdened by that tragedy.But a continuation of the sort of form displayed just prior to the international break will surely see those deep reserves of sympathy start to evaporate and the overriding aim of getting into the Champions League still feels like it could be the one that ultimately decides the fate of a head coach who heads into the final year of his contract in June.There's a lot of football to be played before then but for Slot's Liverpool, now is the time to either sink or swim.Up to 70% off Liverpool kits and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn moreVarious PricesKitbagBuy Now on KitbagKitbag has slashed the price of Liverpool kits and merch with up to 70% off select items.Paul GorstPaul Gorst is the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent and brings readers the inside track on all matters Anfield day in, day out. A journalist with over a decade's worth of experience, he has worked at the ECHO since 2016.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCArne Slot