Guardiola jumps to Slot's defence amid growing Liverpool sack calls

Lars Leeftink

• 4 Apr 2026 19:01 BST
• 4 min read

News

Despite a brilliant 2024/25 season, Arne Slot is under immense pressure at Liverpool due to the looming prospect of a season without trophies after his side's 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Pep Guardiola, who himself appears set to leave after this season, supports the former Feyenoord manager.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Guardiola addressed Slot, who is under pressure at Liverpool after winning the title last season.

According to Guardiola, the unrest surrounding Slot and the rumours about Xabi Alonso, among others, as a potential successor are completely unjustified. "He won the Premier League in his first season and destroyed us all."

According to Guardiola, who played against Liverpool and Slot in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, the former Feyenoord manager is still a very good coach.

"They have always been an extraordinary team and have a top manager. The match we played here in the Premier League was very good and evenly matched. The FA Cup will be another exciting match, I am quite sure of that."

Ultimately, Manchester City won 4-0.

Slot under pressure at Liverpool

Whereas Arne Slot was expected to be in contention for four trophies for a long time last season, but ultimately won only the Premier League (convincingly), the 2025/26 season threatens to end without a trophy for Liverpool.

After the earlier elimination from the Carabao Cup and the knockout by Manchester City from the FA Cup, only the Champions League remains to be won. In that tournament, they must first eliminate PSG, then Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, and then face Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sporting Lisbon, or Arsenal in the final.

A formidable task for Slot and his team. In the Premier League, Liverpool sit fifth after 31 matches, six and five points behind Manchester United and Aston Villa for third and fourth place, respectively, which would secure a place in the Champions League. Fifth place is likely to be good enough for that.

However, Liverpool also have only a one-point lead over Chelsea and just three over Brentford and Everton. So there is still a lot to play for, but a trophy can only be won in the Champions League.

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