Sticking with Arne Slot could cost Liverpool £87m Yan Diomande deal

Liverpool owners FSG are reportedly standing by Arne Slot.

The Reds’ head coach got off to the best possible start - winning the Premier League at the first time of asking in 2024/25.

Sporting director Richard Hughes then added £450m worth of talent in the summer transfer window - fixing up British record deals for both Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.

But the Premier League side have got worse - not better - this season and are struggling to qualify for the Champions League via their league placing.

The top five will likely qualify for the Champions League next season and although Liverpool are currently fifth they will have to amass some incredible results to stay there.

Arne Slot’s side face Everton as well as Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa before the end of the season and Slot’s future will depend on getting back into the Champions League.

Arne Slot needs Champions League qualification

FSG are not bothered about the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City at the weekend and are unlikely to factor that loss into their assessment of Slot’s work.

But a delay on sacking Slot could have devastating effects - not only in the chase for Champions League football but also in the pursuit of their No1 pick to replace Mo Salah.

A report in Caught Offside claims that Yan Diomande is prioritising Champions League football for next season and that’s why Arsenal are currently leading the race.

Diomande, 19, could leave RB Leipzig in the off-season following a standout campaign and the Reds have been on his trail for six months or more.

But with their prospects of landing the Ivorian winger depending on European football at the top level they may well be set for another frustrating transfer miss.

Diomande demands Champions League football

“Champions League football is considered a must for Diomande when it comes to deciding his future,” the report reads.

“Diomande is Liverpool’s preferred Salah replacement, but the reality is that they’ll struggle to get him without Champions League football, and there is a huge amount of interest from all over Europe, with Arsenal very much in the race.”

So FSG and Richard Hughes have been warned. Sticking with Slot until the end of the season could mean a disastrous outcome in the hunt for Champions League football - as the Dutchman has so far proven he cannot turn this around.

And come the end of the campaign - if they are not in the top five - it may well be too late to sign Diomande.

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