As Liverpool's season winds down, the direction the club want to go in will become more clear. The Reds rose to fourth in the Premier League table following their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last Saturday. Champions League football is now almost assured for next season, which will be enough for Arne Slot to keep hold of his job. Nevertheless, the Dutchman has come under intense pressure throughout the campaign, with his side a shadow of last year's title-winning team.
Steven Gerrard Favourite for Burnley Job
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been out of management since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq last year but has since emerged as the bookies favourite to become the new Burnley boss. The announcement of Scott Parker leaving the recently-relegated side by mutual agreement was made on Thursday, with the Clarets destined for Championship football next season after a 1-0 loss to Manchester City last week.
Gerrard and former Reds team-mate Craig Bellamy, who is the Wales boss, have been immediately linked with the job. At the time of writing, bookmakers William Hill list Gerrard as the 4/7 favourite to be in the Turf Moor dugout next season. A move to the second tier would see Gerrard mirror Frank Lampard's decision to drop down a division and join Coventry City last year. The Chelsea icon has since earned promotion to the top-flight in his first full season in charge of the Sky Blues.
Arne Slot Replacement Verdict
While Arne Slot is closing in on clinching Champions League qualification for next season, it hasn't stopped speculation over his future from continuing. The Reds have so far shown no signs of wanting to dismiss the Dutchman, who has already commented on the club's transfer plans this summer. However, should owners Fenway Sports Group opt to make a change, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes Luis Enrique is the perfect candidate to lead the Premier League giants.
Speaking to Betarades, Murphy said: "For me, there is one outstanding candidate - Luis Enrique. Could Liverpool maybe tempt him, especially if he wins the Champions League again? Maybe he would feel like he needs a new challenge. He is a phenomenal coach and when you watch PSG play, you kind of feel that is how I want my team to play. I am torn, just like a lot of Liverpool fans are. A part of me does feel like Arne Slot deserves the chance to redeem himself after his brilliant first season. The circumstances he has had to deal with this season have been tough in many ways. But if there is somebody out there who feels they can move the team more forward quickly, then yes, make the change. The biggest thing is that I have very rarely seen a Liverpool fanbase, a majority of the fanbase, turn on a manager quite so quickly through a bad spell."
