For now, Arne Slot fights on. Nine defeats in 12 games and back-to-back losses at Liverpool have piled the pressure on the Dutchman, whose misery was compounded by the 4-1 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in mid-week.
Patience among supporters looks to have finally snapped, but there are no indications that a change in the dugout is imminent, with Slot expected to remain in charge for this weekend's trip to West Ham. Regardless, consecutive humiliations at the hands of Nottingham Forest and PSV have moved the head coach to the brink, and speculation around his replacement is rife.
The club splashed the cash during the summer transfer window, pulling off the show-stopping signings of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz for a combined £241million, but the new-look squad is in disarray and badly lacking confidence. If Slot is unable to turn the ship around over the coming weeks, Liverpool will certainly go and find someone who can.
Luckily for them, several names are already reportedly in contention.
Andoni Iraola on Liverpool radar
Andoni Iraola applauds Bournemouth supporters
According to Fichajes, Slot is said to be "on the brink" of the axe, and three candidates are currently in the race to take the Anfield hotseat.
Two are Liverpool hero Jurgen Klopp - surely a contender to step in as an emergency option until the end of the season - and former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou. Having noticed an apparent disconnect between the squad and the manager, the Reds hierarchy could be tempted to move for Klopp to lift spirits and revitalize hopes of winning a trophy.
Postecoglou would represent a riskier option, having been sacked by two Premier League clubs, and the appointment would hardly fill supporters with confidence. In comparison, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola would bring about newfound excitement on Merseyside.
Fichajes have claimed that Liverpool view the Spaniard, who Sky Sports pundit Sam Tighe told GMS is "the best young coach in the world", as someone able to drive forward the squad's evolution, improve their use of the ball and rediscover their formidable high press. It is also said that he fits the long-term project preferred by the board.
Iraola has undoubtedly performed miracles since taking the job at Vitality Stadium, having steered the club away from relegation dogfights and fixed their sights firmly on the European spots. Just a year prior, that was deemed an impossible, far-off dream.
Andoni Iraola is Worthy Successor
Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola shake hands The former Rayo Vallecano boss has done an incredible job on the south coast since arriving in 2023, and he looks a good fit for Liverpool. However, a move to Anfield would also represent a significant step up and his biggest challenge to date. So far, Iraola has stared down mountains, willingly locking horns with the biggest teams in England and Spain and beating them at their own game, but the Reds are a different proposition entirely. Expectations would be through the roof, while he would also have to navigate the dangers of a dressing room filled to the brim with big-name talents all pushing to start. It also remains to be seen how he would deal with transfer war-chests. Bournemouth are not able to spend money in the same way, and they have also begrudgingly sold several of their crucial players, whereas Liverpool remain one of the most in-demand clubs in the world. Iraola would have to stamp his authority on the squad to achieve total buy-in. It's a tough ask. He does, however, get the best out of his sides, who have proven time and again that they would run headfirst through brick walls for him. This total commitment to the cause is exactly what the Reds need to get themselves back on track.
Slot Reveals Talks With Liverpool Board After PSV
Arne Slot Slot admitted after the loss to PSV that he had spoken to Liverpool's owners, but insisted he retained their backing.
We've had the same conversations as we've had since I'm here. Not sure if I said it last night, but we fight on. We try to improve, that's what we all try, but the conversations have been the same as they've been for the past one-and-a-half years.
That may well be the case, but he needs to start picking up results - and fast. Otherwise, he will find himself on the way out.