Five possible replacements for Arne Slot at Liverpool

Cameron Smith

• 4 Dec 2025 12:29 GMT
• 5 min read

Analysis

Arne Slot is under increasing pressure at Liverpool and a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland on Wednesday has done little to ease concerns over his long-term future at Anfield.

The Dutchman enjoyed a sublime debut season with the Reds in 2024-25, guiding them to just their second ever Premier League title, and he was rewarded with a summer spending spree of over €480 million.

However, Liverpool’s new signings have largely failed to settle since arriving and despite winning their opening five Premier League matches of the new campaign, the Reds have slipped down to eighth place in the English top flight table following a dismal run of results.

They have lost nine of their last 14 matches across all competitions and they are now as close to West Ham United in 18th place as they are to league leaders Arsenal in 1st (11 points).

Multiple reports have confirmed that Slot could be sacked if results don’t improve soon and the Dutchman therefore faces an immensely important festive period.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through five possible replacements for Slot if Liverpool decide to sack him.

Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp resigned as Liverpool boss in 2024 and he has acted as Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull group since the start of this year.

However, he has been widely tipped to return to Anfield amid Slot’s current struggles. The Liverpool legend has previously admitted that he will never manage another Premier League club, but he has left the door open to rejoining the Reds in the future.

Despite this, it has been reported that Liverpool are unlikely to re-appoint Klopp. However, the allure of bringing him back to Anfield remains great, and fans would undoubtedly endorse his return.

Oliver Glasner

Oliver Glasner has worked wonders since being appointed as Crystal Palace boss in February 2024 and he has been linked with a number of top jobs in recent months.

It has been widely reported that he will feature prominently in the thinking of the Liverpool hierarchy if they sack Slot, with his results at Selhurst Park proving he is one of the best managers in the world.

However, his potential arrival may result in a change of formation given he has preferred a 3-4-2-1 system at both Eintracht Frankfurt and Crystal Palace.

Andoni Iraola

Andoni Iraola has earned plenty of plaudits during his spell at Bournemouth and he has once again impressed this campaign, despite losing the vast majority of his first-choice backline over the summer.

He has been tipped as a candidate for the Chelsea head coach role if Enzo Maresca is dismissed by the west London giants, but he is also firmly on Liverpool’s radar amid the current pressure on Slot.

Iraola is seen as a suitable contender for the Liverpool job and his performances as Bournemouth boss suggest he is ready to manage an elite club.

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso was the runaway favourite for Liverpool job before the appointment of Slot in 2024, but he opted to snub a return to Anfield in favour of staying at Bayer Leverkusen for an extra year.

He then replaced Carlo Ancelotti as the Real Madrid manager this summer following a stellar stint in the Bundesliga.

However, he is already under pressure at the Bernabeu and reports suggest he could soon be sacked amid rumours of a rift in the dressing room. As a result, he has unsurprisingly been linked with the Liverpool head coach role and he would be a shrewd appointment based on his immense spell at Leverkusen.

Steven Gerrard

The final contender is the least likely of them all: Steven Gerrard.

The Liverpool legend has been out of work since leaving Al-Ettifaq in January, but he has been tipped as a possible candidate to replace Slot.

Gerrard has been linked with the Liverpool job ever since his retirement and the bookies suggest he is now the fifth-favourite to become the next Reds manager.

Football transfer news headlines today

TRANSFER RUMOURS: Arsenal bombshell as Man Utd offered midfielder

Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd wonderkid update, Barcelona decisions, Rodrygo future insight

Arne Slot sack latest: Liverpool manager at real risk after Sunderland draw

Director confirms plan to sign €80m Chelsea star

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store