Despite surviving a week of speculation, including an early press conference yesterday, odds are swirling among bookmakers over who will replace Arne Slot.
Many were speculating the Liverpool manager was leaving the club after the 4-1 hammering midweek against PSV Eindhoven.
Three consecutive defeats be three goals or more for the first time since 1953, £446 million spent in summer and Everton and Manchester United above them in the league paints a grim picture.
Slot is now under immense pressure.
Liverpool play West Ham on Sunday, and The Hammers are in decent form under their new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
They have two and drawn one in their last three games. Another defeat for Liverpool would make people think surely the Dutchman would pack his bags and set sail out of Merseyside.
His job under pressure as it is, but the question begs, if he does get sacked, who would take over the reins?
The market right now is full of unproven managers with the exception of a couple. The likes of Xavi and Zinedine Zidane are still jobless and were successful during their times at their previous clubs (Barcelona & Real Madrid). Would they take on the challenge of turning this dreadful team around?
Probably not. Zidane won three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid having one of the deadliest front three in Europe at the time and unlimited resources.
Taking on Liverpool right now would be the biggest challenge of his managerial career so far and potentially risks what has been an impeccable record.
Xavi could be the more likely candidate of the two. He took over a poor Barcelona side while they were at a serious low point and in big financial trouble.
He won a double with them winning La Liga and Spanish Super Cup before being relieved of his duties. The Liverpool job could be appealing but only managing two clubs so far, for such a short period of time, the lack of experience and never managing in the Premier League could be a downfall.
Who is the bookies favourite?
According to Bet 365, previous manager Jurgen Klopp is favourite to come back and take over, sat at 6/1 odds the German would be given a hero’s welcome back.
His legacy already ingrained into Liverpool, he would be seen as the saviour, perhaps not every fan’s first choice but it would be safe to say not many would be unhappy if this did happen.
Second in line is another German speaker, Oliver Glasner. The Austrian has taken Crystal Palace to heights they did not know possible in the past year, an FA Cup, a community shield and European football as well as strong performances in the league.
Currently on 10/1 odds (Bet 365), he would seem like the perfect replacement of Slot at this point, Palace however, would do everything to keep him at Selhurst.
Another favourite is Andoni Iraola; the Spaniard is tipped at 5/1 (Sky Bet) to take over the role.
He has Premier League experience doing a fantastic job with Bournemouth since he took over in 2023, a good eye for exciting young players and some big wins against some of the titans in the league.
The quality of the Liverpool squad could be maximised with a young manager like himself, whether the Liverpool board see him as the correct man to take the club forward is another matter.
Who is the fan favourite?
Glasner and Iraola seem to be most Liverpool fans most ideal candidate, their recent success with the resources they’ve been provided with is nothing short of impressive.
Luke Edwards, 21, is a long standing member of the 1st Bangor Official Liverpool Supporters Club (1stBangorOLSC).
He believes that Glasner is the perfect replacement and maybe should’ve been considered before Slot was appointed.
He said: “Glasner would’ve been the perfect replacement after Klopp left, only if we knew back then what he was capable of, (he) won the Europa League for Frankfurt and has never looked back.
“If he was to come to Liverpool I do think he would have to adapt and change his tactics, playing a back three wouldn’t work for us, but I fully believe out of everyone that’s available he is the best fit for the team. Hopefully Slot turns it around for us though I don’t want him sacked”.
Whether or not Slot remains in the hot seat come Christmas remains to be seen, one thing that seems certain is that if things don’t change quick he will be gone.
