Arne Slot is facing a make-or-break moment at Liverpool, and according to former Red Stephen Warnock, next season's Premier League title race will define his tenure. The Dutch manager has come under increasing scrutiny after a lackluster campaign that has left fans frustrated, despite the club still being on track for Champions League qualification.

Speaking exclusively to Empire of the Kop, Warnock didn't mince words: qualifying for Europe's top competition simply won't cut it anymore. "If you thought Champions League football was enough, well, it looks like you'll secure that this season—and that doesn't seem to be enough for what the Anfield crowd wants," he said. "You've got to challenge for the league."

The warning comes after a string of passive performances, including a 1-1 draw with Chelsea that only deepened the growing disconnect between the team and its supporters. Former players like Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Pennant have also voiced concerns, with Rooney pointing to "worrying signs" throughout the season and Pennant questioning whether Slot's style is sustainable for a club of Liverpool's stature.

Warnock did offer some context, acknowledging the challenges Slot has faced. "He's had an awful lot of overhaul in the squad," the 44-year-old explained. "You've got to give him grace, especially with the situation around Diogo Jota. We don't know how difficult that's been for the squad and for him as a manager."

But the most worrying sign for Slot may be the growing sense that his football simply isn't connecting with the Anfield faithful. As Warnock put it, the style of play is "not giving the crowd anything"—a dangerous position for any manager at a club where passion and intensity are part of the DNA. With the pressure mounting, next season could be the defining chapter in Slot's Liverpool story.