Former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino has suggested Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as a potential replacement for Arne Slot at Liverpool, should the Dutchman be sacked this summer. Slot's position has come under scrutiny after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday, where fans voiced their displeasure with boos at the final whistle. The result left Liverpool's Champions League qualification hopes in jeopardy, with the Reds having lost 11 Premier League games this season.
Cascarino, speaking after the match, expressed concern over the growing discontent at Anfield. "The booings are happening more regularly at Liverpool now," he said. "I want Arne Slot to get to the end of the season and then Liverpool to make a call." He noted that Iraola, who is set to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, has strong connections with Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes, who previously worked with Iraola at the Vitality Stadium.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has urged the club to show patience with summer signings Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, who cost a combined £70m. Frimpong, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5m, has been hampered by injuries, while Kerkez, a £40m arrival from Bournemouth, has struggled to win over fans. Cole warned that if the pair fail to improve by January, the club may need to consider replacements.
"Two great players, two legends of the club in Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and [Andy] Robertson leaving in the space of two years is always going to be difficult to replace," Cole said. "They need to give a chance to Frimpong and Kerkez, but it's one of those where by January they're not looking like they've settled still, then you have to start looking."
