Less than a year after Liverpool clinched the Premier League title, the team now finds itself in a position where qualification for next season’s Champions League is the only remaining goal. Arne Slot's future could also hinge on securing a top-four finish, as failing to qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season would make this campaign "definitely not acceptable" in his eyes.
Slot’s Gambit with Isak Backfires
One of the major talking points after Liverpool's 4-0 defeat to PSG was the decision by Arne Slot to start Alexander Isak for the first time since his ankle injury in December. Slot admitted before the match that Isak was only fit for one half, yet the gamble didn’t pay off. Isak managed just five touches in the first 45 minutes before being substituted for Cody Gakpo at the break. Slot defended his decision, pointing to moments when Isak came close to scoring, but critics were quick to highlight the missed opportunity to start with a more in-form Gakpo.
Despite Slot’s defense of his decision, pundits criticized the lineup. Julien Laurens from 5 Live said, "That second half should have been how Liverpool started this game tonight to get the crowd going. It should not have been Alexander Isak to start." Similarly, former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock slammed the decision, pointing out that Isak, lacking match fitness, had little impact on the game. Warnock argued that Slot’s choice “let the club down, the team down, and the fans down.”
PSG’s Dominance and Liverpool’s Regression
While Liverpool fought valiantly against the European champions, their 4-0 aggregate defeat underscored a larger issue: regression. Last season, when PSG and Liverpool met in the Champions League, the two teams were evenly matched, with PSG needing a penalty shootout to eliminate Liverpool. However, this season, the French side comfortably outclassed Slot's team, winning both legs convincingly. Despite Liverpool's efforts in the second half, including a decent xG (expected goals) performance of 1.94 at Anfield, the overall 4-0 aggregate score was fair given the circumstances.
"I think there were parts of the second half where you could feel, ‘If we could just score now, this could become a very special night,’" Slot said after the game. However, his optimism about the future was tempered by the undeniable fact that Liverpool is not yet at the level required to consistently challenge Europe’s best.
The Future for Slot and Liverpool
With Liverpool's hopes of European glory dashed for this season, the focus now shifts to qualifying for the Champions League next season. The team's performance against PSG, although admirable in patches, highlighted that there is still a significant gap between Liverpool and the top-tier European sides. As Slot and Liverpool prepare for their next league fixtures, the question remains whether they can bounce back and secure a place in next season's Champions League, which will likely determine whether Slot remains in charge.
Liverpool’s immediate future now depends on securing consistent league form, with their place in Europe hanging in the balance. Slot's decisions will be scrutinized further, and whether he can lead the team back to the top will shape both his legacy and Liverpool's future.
