Arne Slot’s Liverpool side eased the pain of their Champions League exit with a 2-1 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby. It was the first derby clash between the great rivals to take place at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, and with David Moyes’ Toffees playing well recently, and Liverpool appearing disjointed and lacking bite, the pressure was on the visitors and their beleaguered boss.
As it turned out, the Reds did enough to edge the three points, albeit with the help of a very late goal. On balance, Liverpool just about deserved the win. They enjoyed more possession and created more chances, with six shots on target to the home side’s four. More importantly, from a Liverpool perspective, the win puts daylight between the Reds in fifth place and their nearest rival for the final Champions League spot… which is now Brighton after their victory over Chelsea.
The Reds had to rely on the old guard of Mohamed Salah (in the 29th minute) and Virgil van Dijk (deep, deep into injury time) for their goals. It was far from a vintage Liverpool performance, but, as so often early in the current campaign, they did enough to force the three points. Unless they suffer a collapse in form in the final few games of the campaign, the Reds look very well placed to secure Champions League football for another season. That will keep the owners happy in general terms but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to keep Slot in his job.
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 19, 2026
Will Champions League Qualification Keep Slot in a Job?
Liverpool’s victory over Everton was their second on the bounce in the Premier League after their 2-0 home win over Fulham earlier in the month. Either side of the Fulham game, the Reds suffered 2-0 defeats, both home and away, against European champions Paris Saint-Germain, and they were hammered 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup in early April.
But there is a sense that this latest victory over their near neighbours, coupled with Chelsea’s Champions League challenge falling away, might have steadied the ship at Liverpool. The Reds now look very well placed to secure a top-five finish, with Brentford drawing yet again and, obviously, Everton losing. That all means that Liverpool have a five-point cushion over sixth place, with the Reds having also played a game fewer than Brighton (as well as Chelsea, who are now seventh, two points further back). The question is, would Champions League qualification alone be enough to convince the Liverpool board to keep the faith with Slot?
The answer to that might well depend on Liverpool’s final position in the Premier League table. Although there’s not a whole lot of difference between third place and fifth, as both will qualify for the Champions League, third just looks that much better. As things stand, after 33 games, Liverpool are fifth on 55 points, with Aston Villa in fourth on 58 points and Manchester United in third, also on 58 points. A strong finish from Slot’s men might allow them to pick up a place or two. We think it would be a little harsh to sack Slot if his side finishes third or even fourth. Fifth place, however, could leave him teetering on the edge, especially if they do not end the campaign strongly.
Of course, things could also go pear-shaped, and if they drop out of the top five by the end of the campaign, we think the Liverpool board will most definitely pull the trigger and install a new man at the helm. Former Red Xabi Alonso is currently available and many supporters would love to see him return to Anfield.
Liverpool’s Run-In Far from Easy
It’s probably just as well that Slot’s side have built up a small cushion in the race for the Champions League qualification, as they have got a rather challenging run-in. Their next match is at Anfield, but it is against the Reds’ bogey side of the season: Crystal Palace. Liverpool could only manage a draw against Palace in the corresponding fixture last term (though they already had the title in the bag by then).
Since then, however, Palace have beaten Liverpool in the Community Shield (albeit on penalties), the Premier League, and most recently, in the League Cup. Slot would perhaps point to the much-changed team he sent out at Anfield against Palace back in October. But the fact that the Eagles won the match 3-0 and looked good value for it will still give the Liverpool boss pause for thought ahead of this game.
After that, the Reds have a very tough game: Manchester United at Old Trafford. This could be a fascinating match for the neutrals, and it could certainly help decide who finishes where in the Champions League places. Next up, Slot’s men welcome a crumbling Chelsea side to Anfield… but they might have a new manager by then, so nothing should be taken for granted.
Another tricky away day against a Champions League rival follows in the form of Aston Villa, before the Reds host Brentford on the final day. Based on that run of fixtures, perhaps Liverpool fans will be happy enough to scrape fifth place and at least secure their position at European football’s top table next season!