Liverpool should not tolerate any more of Arne Slot’s shambolic stewardship and must look to replace him as soon as they possibly can.
The Dutchman has plenty of credit in the bank at Anfield after delivering an unexpected Premier League title during his debut season.
However, while that will forever remain a brilliant achievement from Slot, it does not excuse the current run of diabolical form Liverpool are facing.
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Saturday’s 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest at Anfield really ought to be the final straw. No matter who you are or what you’ve achieved, you cannot lead Liverpool on such a disastrous set of results and get away with it.
The Reds should not hesitate to act, especially when there are three managers out there who could instantly improve their fortunes.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks dejected following defeat in the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Andoni Iraola is the obvious choice to lead Liverpool
There is so much wrong at Liverpool under Slot at the moment, but arguably the most disconcerting is the lack of any kind of tactical plan.
The Liverpool squad look completely clueless game in, game out and are regularly being flummoxed by the opposition.
What they need is a clear idea of what each and every player is doing on the pitch. Slot was supposed to be the man to give them that, but as it is now clear that he is not, the next manager should be someone with an obvious idea of playing.
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There are many of those managers out there just now, but arguably the one who fits Liverpool the most is Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola. The Cherries play a high energy, relentless style of football which you could easily see translating to Liverpool.
Iraola has already shown what he can do with a middling La Liga and Premier League side. With better players at his disposal at Liverpool, he could quickly make them the best team in the division yet again.
Cesc Fabregas could bring a long-term vision to Liverpool
Another young Spanish manager thriving outside of his homeland at the moment is former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas was a superbly technical footballer who learnt from playing under some supreme managers.
Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Arne Slot following Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Still only 38, the World Cup winner led Como to a respectable 10th place finish on their return to Serie A last season, and has them sitting in 7th as things stand this term.
As you might expect from such a silky player, Fabregas likes his teams to play a passing game, but one with purpose and attacking intent.
It may be a lot to ask, and would be a big jump in quality for him to handle, but the former Chelsea man has plenty of experience in elite environments and with little expectation on the rest of Liverpool’s season, it could be a good time for him to cut his teeth.
Jurgen Klopp should be a serious option
If Iraola and Fabregas represent long-term visions for Liverpool, then they do have one decidedly short-term option on offer to them.
It feels desperately unlikely to happen, but maybe, just maybe Jurgen Klopp could return to see out the rest of the season.
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Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool players look like they need a collective arm around the shoulder right now. After everything that has happened at the club, they could do with a proper father figure to take the heat off them.
Slot has done many things well during his time with the Reds, but he is not a motivational coach. Perhaps what they could do with is just stripping everything away and enjoying their football again. Klopp would allow them to do that.
At this juncture it feels pretty impossible that the German would return, but perhaps he could be tempted to have one last go at getting a second Champions League title under his belt. Stranger things have happened.