Could Manchester City end Arne Slot’s Liverpool reign?

Arne Slot’s Liverpool future may hinge on Sunday’s clash against Manchester City, with the champions’ visit emerging as a potential turning point in his second season at Anfield.

Liverpool head into the weekend outside the Champions League places and on a five-game winless run in the Premier League.

While last season’s title success has so far insulated Slot from immediate action, patience is beginning to wear thin as performances continue to fall short of expectations.

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Why Manchester City could push Liverpool to breaking point

Sunday’s meeting comes with Liverpool under pressure, not just from their form but also from their league position.

With 39 points from 24 matches, Slot’s side sit sixth in the Premier League, already four points off the Champions League places and with rivals beginning to pull clear.

Liverpool have taken just one win from their last five league matches, drawing with Fulham, Arsenal, Leeds and Burnley, and losing away at Bournemouth.

Those dropped points have allowed Manchester United and Chelsea to open a gap above them, while Brentford and Sunderland remain close enough below to threaten further slippage.

Manchester City arrive with their own inconsistencies, but Pep Guardiola’s side remains second in the table and has drawn with Liverpool’s direct competitors in recent weeks.

Liverpool remains capable of heavy wins, but their inability to manage domestic games has cost them ground.

Failure to compete with City would reinforce doubts about Liverpool’s ability to handle elite opposition when the pressure is highest, particularly at a time when Champions League qualification is tightening.

Why Xabi Alonso could change Liverpool’s form

Xabi Alonso’s name carries weight not only because of his recent managerial reputation but also because he has long been admired inside Anfield.

The former Liverpool midfielder was considered during the club’s succession planning before Arne Slot was appointed, with his tactical profile viewed internally as a natural continuation rather than a departure.

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Slot took over a squad shaped by Jürgen Klopp, featuring established leaders, a settled defensive core and midfield options designed for high-intensity football.

Expectations were therefore built around continuity at the top end of the table rather than a transitional season.

Alonso’s teams are known for managing tempo, protecting defensive structure and maintaining balance in midfield, which are areas where Liverpool have struggled despite possessing the squad to dominate games.

Unlike Slot, Alonso would arrive with deep familiarity with Liverpool’s demands, having operated at the club during a previous era of sustained success.

That understanding could enable smoother tactical adjustments rather than wholesale change, particularly with figures such as Virgil van Dijk already in place.

With Champions League qualification now emerging as the minimum requirement, Liverpool’s decision may ultimately hinge on whether they believe the current squad is underperforming.

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