Roy Keane Backs Arne Slot Amid Mounting Pressure Over Liverpool’s Trophyless Season

Roy Keane defends Liverpool boss Arne Slot, arguing that a coach who won the league last year deserves time to fix the club's current trophy-less 2025-26 season.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 4:04 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

A Staunch Defense of the Title-Winning Manager

Speaking on the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, Roy Keane weighed in on the intensifying debate surrounding Arne Slot’s future at Anfield. Keane was adamant that the hierarchy at Fenway Sports Group (FSG) should ignore calls for a managerial change, labeling the prospect of a sacking as "wrong." The former Manchester United captain emphasized that Slot’s achievement in leading Liverpool to their 20th league title in the 2024-25 season—his debut year—earned him substantial credit that should not be erased by a single underwhelming campaign.

The Reality of the 2025-26 Campaign

The defense comes at a time when Liverpool’s form has regressed significantly from the dominance of the previous year. After spending nearly £440 million on high-profile reinforcements, including the British record signing of Alexander Isak and German star Florian Wirtz, the team has suffered 16 defeats across all competitions this season. Liverpool’s quarter-final exit in the Champions League and their recent 0-4 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup have left the club without silverware in 2026, fueling restlessness among a fan base that has begun to vocalize a desire for change.

The Challenge of Fan Expectations and Stability

Keane acknowledged the growing frustration in the stands but cautioned against the modern tendency toward reactionary dismissals. He noted that while supporters are understandably "restless" after watching their team drop from first to fifth in the standings, technical stability remains the most reliable path back to the summit of English football. Keane argued that judging a coach solely on one difficult season—one marred by high-profile departures and injuries—is short-sighted, especially given the tactical metamorphosis Slot successfully implemented during his first 18 months in charge.