Liverpool part ways with Arne Slot with immediate effect

Arne Slot has been sacked with immediate effect as Liverpool head coach. The decision was taken by owner Fenway Sports Group after Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League with just 60 points, their lowest total for a decade. It brings to an end the Dutchman's two-year reign since he was appointed as Jurgen Klopp's successor in the summer of 2024.

The transition was initially seamless as he led Liverpool to Premier League title glory in his first season. However, their fortunes nosedived in 2025-26 with 19 defeats in all competitions, with 12 league losses in comparison to only four the term before. Liverpool exited the Champions League at the hands of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, 4-0 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage in April. They went out of the Carabao Cup after defeat by Crystal Palace in the fourth round in October and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City in the quarter-finals last month.

A joint statement from Liverpool's owners on Saturday confirmed the decision, saying it was "necessary" and "the team's trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction". The statement also said, "That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying," and, "The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and - most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves - successful."