Former Arsenal and England full-back Lee Dixon has publicly backed Arne Slot to continue as Liverpool manager, dismissing calls for the club to part ways with the Dutchman after a season that has yielded no silverware.
Speaking to BoyleSports, Dixon acknowledged the weight of expectation that comes with managing one of England’s most decorated clubs. “The pressure on Slot is the price you pay for being at a big club like Liverpool. He’s had success, and naturally, people expect that to continue, but it’s incredibly difficult,” he said.
Slot, who arrived at Anfield ahead of the 2024/25 season, guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut campaign — a significant achievement that Dixon believes must be factored into any assessment of his tenure. “I do think Slot has earned the right to get another year. Getting rid of him after winning the league and then having a difficult season would feel harsh,” the former defender added.
The 2025/26 campaign has proven considerably more challenging. Liverpool are expected to finish without a trophy, though they remain on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Squad weaknesses have been exposed across multiple competitions, raising questions about the club’s direction heading into the summer transfer window.
Dixon cited several factors behind Liverpool’s drop in performance levels this season, pointing to player departures and the adjustment period required for new signings. “There are lots of reasons why they’ve not hit the same heights,” he explained, while drawing a comparison to Manchester City as an example of the rare sustained dominance that few clubs can replicate year after year.
Reports have linked Slot to a potential return to Ajax, the Dutch club where he built his early managerial reputation before joining Feyenoord and subsequently Liverpool. However, indications suggest the 46-year-old is set to remain at Anfield, with the club preparing for the 2026/27 season under his management.
Slot’s situation reflects a broader pattern in elite football, where managers who deliver early success are often held to standards that make subsequent consolidation phases appear as failures. Liverpool’s previous manager Jürgen Klopp also endured trophy-free seasons during his nine-year spell at the club before eventually departing in the summer of 2024 after delivering six major honours, including the club’s first league title in 30 years.
Liverpool’s squad rebuild and tactical evolution under Slot will be closely scrutinised during the summer transfer window, with the club’s recruitment decisions likely to play a significant role in determining the shape of next season’s challenge across the Premier League and European competitions.
