- McCoist backs Slot at Liverpool
- Praises Reds for Merseyside derby win
- Understands why fans want Slot sacked
Liverpool walked away from the Hill Dickinson Stadium with all three points on Sunday, and Ally McCoist believes the win over Everton should give Arne Slot some breathing space.
Building on the momentum of that dramatic derby victory, journalists have now confirmed that the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) hierarchy has reached a definitive stance on Arne Slot’s future.
Liverpool board has decided to stick by the Dutchman for the 2026/27 season, effectively silencing rumors of an imminent summer sacking.
Despite a disastrous title defence that saw the Reds suffer ten league defeats, the hierarchy remains committed to Slot’s long-term project, viewing Champions League qualification as the “fundamental baseline objective” for the campaign.
Virgil van Dijk scored in the 100th minute of the match to secure a 2-1 win for the Reds, and that helped the Anfield side take a giant step towards UEFA Champions League qualification. They are now seven points clear of Chelsea, in the final UCL spot with just five matches left in the Premier League season.
Ally McCoist was on talkSPORT when he spoke about the win, calling it a massive result for Liverpool. He believes Slot’s side will easily secure a place in the top 5, though it is not guaranteed yet.
“Yeah, I would think sure. I think it was and I do think it was a big result for them. I do. I still think that the Champions League place is absolutely vital for Liverpool, and there would have been questions if Liverpool had not, and they’re not there yet, obviously, guaranteed Champions League football. I still think they’ll get there.”
Liverpool won because of quality over Everton
McCoist claims that he was sure that the Merseyside derby was not going to end in a draw. The pundit revealed that he predicted a winner from the corner Liverpool won at the very end of the game and said:
“But getting back to the game, I really enjoyed the game. I thought it was a really competitive derby. Again, I’m continuing to be impressed with Everton at this moment in time. Liverpool had a little bit of quality, and that winning goal, you know, in the end, it was bizarre because I actually sort of half-saw it coming. I said to the boys, ‘I fancy somebody going on the end or something here at a corner.'”
Van Dijk beat everyone inside the box to meet Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner to head in the winner in the 100th minute. The Dutchman was on top of his game in the derby on Sunday and was a key reason for the Reds to remain in the game after the Toffees equalised early in the second half.
Arne Slot deserves to be at Liverpool next season
McCoist admitted that he understands why a section of the Liverpool fans want Slot sacked, but said that the manager has earned himself another season at the club. He believes that the Dutchman getting the UCL qualification is key and should be given the chance to turn things around.
“But I think there will be one or two, understandably, Liverpool fans still a little bit concerned about the way the team has performed, you know, recently. But from Arne Slot’s point of view, I think he will be given the chance to get his team back together again for the start of the season, for the start of the campaign, and to go again.”
Xabi Alonso has been linked with a move back to Anfield, this time as a manager. The Spaniard has been without a club since January after parting ways with Real Madrid following the Spanish Super Cup loss to Barcelona.
Reports suggest Liverpool are not planning a change, but some fans remain hopeful that the plans will change in the summer and that the club will part ways with Slot, given this season’s subpar results.
