'I've got a gut feeling' – Ally McCoist gives early Liverpool title verdict under Arne Slot

Ally McCoist has ruled out a Liverpool title assault in Arne Slot’s maiden season at the helm.

Slot has signed a three-year contract at Liverpool and will officially take over on June 1 after a £9.4million compensation deal was struck with Feyenoord. He will assume the title of head coach rather than the manager’s role that Jurgen Klopp filled.

The German oversaw a title challenge which faded down the final stretch as Manchester City and Arsenal took the battle to the final day. The Reds ultimately finished nine points behind the eventual champions but did give Klopp the perfect send off with a 2-0 win over Wolves on the final day of the season.

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And, according to popular pundit McCoist, the Reds are unlikely to mount a title challenge in 2024/25 as Slot gets his feet under the table at Anfield. The Scot argued that Liverpool’s youngsters will not quite be ready for the intensity of title race with the likes of City and the Gunners.

“I don’t think Liverpool will be fighting for the title next season, I’ve just got a gut feeling,” he said on talkSPORT on Tuesday. “I’m just not sure the younger ones are ready to come up and grab the mantle and carry on again. They fell away a little bit [this season] after a magnificent effort.

“Liverpool fell away and there was that midweek defeat at Everton. There were just little signs there that I’m not sure they have the consistency required to win the league and challenge right at the top next year.”

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Host Jeff Stelling piped in: “Great squad but whether it’s quite at the level of Arsenal and Manchester City is debatable.”

McCoist added that much would dependant on recruitment and whether key men like Mohamed Salah stay put. He said: “There are question marks over whether people like Salah stay. They might all stay, and they might add to it, you don’t know. Massive club, wonderful support and they will, without doubt, get behind the new manager.”