Liverpool's defence of their Premier League title has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, plunging manager Arne Slot into a precarious position just months into the new season.
The Reds' recent 3-0 thrashing by Manchester City, which followed a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, has left the club languishing in eighth place after 11 games. They are already a significant eight points behind league leaders Arsenal, casting serious doubt on their championship ambitions.
Pressure Mounts on Arne Slot
Despite brief signs of recovery with consecutive wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, the heavy loss at the Etihad has heaped pressure back onto Dutch manager Arne Slot. The outcome was so decisive that Slot has reportedly shelved any immediate talk of a title challenge, focusing instead on stabilising the team's faltering campaign.
While the Liverpool hierarchy continues to publicly back their manager, the club's poor form has inevitably led to speculation about his future.
Contenders Emerge for the Anfield Hot Seat
According to reports, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has a tentative shortlist of potential replacements should Slot's tenure be cut short. This list is believed to include several names previously considered for the role.
Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille, are among the contenders. Other managers of interest include Michel from Girona, Ernesto Valverde of Athletic Bilbao, and Luciano Spalletti, now at Juventus.
The list also features Premier League bosses Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace and Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth, as well as Rayo Vallecano's Inigo Perez. In a more ambitious link, French icon Zinedine Zidane is mentioned, though he has historically distanced himself from managing in England. Vincent Kompany, currently at Bayern Munich, is another name cited, but a future move to Manchester City is considered more likely for the former City captain.
New Contract Stand-Off with Key Trio
Compounding the issues on the pitch, Liverpool now faces a fresh contractual battle, mere months after resolving lengthy negotiations with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
The contracts of midfield trio Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai are all set to expire in 2028. The club is keen to secure the long-term futures of these key players with new deals that reflect their importance to the squad.
However, negotiations are proving complex. The Daily Mail reports that agents for all three stars are pushing for more substantial contracts. The situation surrounding Ryan Gravenberch is particularly notable; despite being the Reds' standout performer this season, his agent has publicly linked him with a move to Real Madrid, stating the player is "good enough" for the Spanish giants.
When asked about his future, Gravenberch remained non-committal, saying, "Obviously I'm happy here, we have to see. We haven't talked yet [about a new contract], but we will see."
In contrast, Alexis Mac Allister has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool, downplaying rumours of interest from Real Madrid by emphasising the importance of his current performances.
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai is also attracting attention, with reports from Spain claiming that both Real Madrid and Manchester City are monitoring his situation. Liverpool are said to be eager to extend his contract until 2030 with a improved salary, but as with his colleagues, no new deal has been finalised.
This triple contract dilemma presents a significant challenge for the Liverpool board, threatening to destabilise the core of the team if not resolved promptly.
