Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) intend to retain head coach Arne Slot for the 2026/27 season despite the club suffering a historic low by losing home and away to both Manchester United and Manchester City in a single league campaign for the first time since 1912/13. According to reports in The Times, the board continues to view the current season as a transitional phase, standing firm behind the 45-year-old manager notwithstanding a run of form that has seen the club fall 18 points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal. Following a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford on 3 May, Liverpool sit fourth in the table with 58 points from 35 games, having endured 11 league defeats in a volatile domestic campaign.
FSG Strategy and the £440m Investment
The decision to back Slot follows a significant financial commitment during the summer 2025 transfer window, where Liverpool spent between £440m and £450m on high-profile reinforcements. This recruitment drive included the signing of Alexander Isak (26, forward) from Newcastle for a British record £125m, alongside Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. As reported by The Times, FSG, Michael Edwards, and Richard Hughes remain committed to this long-term project, prioritising stability over a managerial change. The club has also cited the tragic passing of Diogo Jota in July 2025 as a significant mitigating factor in the season's instability, an event that profoundly impacted the squad dynamic heading into Slot's second year in charge.
Tactical Concerns and Squad Profile
Despite Slot delivered the Premier League title in his debut 2024/25 season, critics have questioned the recent direction of the squad. Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher expressed concern regarding the team's physical profile, stating that the strategy of pursuing "just good players" has resulted in a lack of physicality that has "blown up in their face." Statistically, the decline is sharp; Liverpool have conceded 18 losses across all competitions this term, a stark contrast to the defensive solidity that defined their previous title-winning year. The current 1.63 points-per-game average represents a significant regression, yet the hierarchy believes the tactical integration of expensive summer arrivals like Wirtz requires further patience rather than a change in leadership.
Liverpool now focus on securing a top-four finish to ensure Champions League football returns to Anfield next season.