Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool is in serious doubt after the team’s poor form.
Liverpool are said to be closely monitoring Steven Gerrard as a temporary replacement for Arne Slot in case the Dutchman is sacked, amid a serious decline in form and signs of internal instability.
Liverpool’s title defence is on a worrying slide, having lost six of their last nine league games. Although a 2-0 win over West Ham brought some hope, Liverpool quickly returned to a lacklustre run in a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland just three days later.
Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool is in serious doubt. (Photo: Getty Images)
The troubles continued to plague Arne Slot’s side in the early hours of December 7, as Liverpool were held to a dramatic draw by Leeds at Elland Road. Ao Tanaka’s stoppage-time equaliser capped a frantic second half with six goals, plunging Liverpool into a deeper crisis of confidence.
Tensions were further heightened after Mohamed Salah made shocking comments in the post-match press conference, suggesting that his relationship with Slot was seriously strained. The Egyptian even hinted that someone at the club “didn’t want him to stay”, while admitting that he felt “abandoned”, raising serious doubts about his future at Anfield.
According to DaveOCKOP, Steven Gerrard is being considered by Liverpool as a potential interim option if the board decides to terminate the contract with Arne Slot. The Liverpool legend recently revealed that he was “very close” to returning to Rangers, but ultimately turned down the job after discussions with the Scottish team, in the context of coach Russell Martin’s departure.
Gerrard led Rangers from 2018 to 2021 and led the team to the Scottish Premier League title in the 2020-21 season. After that, the 45-year-old former midfielder continued his coaching career at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq. The return to Anfield will be an emotional story for one of the greatest icons in Liverpool’s history, who grew up from the academy and spent his entire career at the top level with the Merseyside team.
Apart from Gerrard, Liverpool are also said to be interested in Julian Nagelsmann, who is currently in charge of the German national team and will be with the team at the World Cup next summer. The talented young coach is likely to leave after the tournament ends, making him an attractive long-term option for the Liverpool board.
Ironically, just a few months after leading Liverpool to the Premier League title, Arne Slot is now facing the sack. However, the Dutchman remains optimistic: “There is every reason to be optimistic,” Slot said after the draw with Leeds.
When asked about his relationship with the board, he said: “We talk a lot. Not in a ‘we support you’ way every minute, but normal conversations about wins and losses, about the team and what needs to be improved. In those conversations, I feel trust. But I haven’t spoken to them after this game, we’ll see.”
Liverpool’s future is at a crucial crossroads, with cracks appearing in both the coaching bench and the dressing room. With the current turmoil, Anfield could soon see a new chapter, with Steven Gerrard or another name chosen to steer the shaky ship.