Arne Slot's position at Liverpool appears increasingly precarious following a series of disappointing results.
Heavy losses to Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and PSV this month mean the Reds have secured victory in only three of their previous 12 games. The latest two defeats, both occurring at Anfield by a three-goal margin, have proved a watershed moment for many supporters, with Liverpool stuck in mid-table positions in both the Premier League and Champions League tables.
A kind run of upcoming fixtures could ease the growing pressure, beginning with this weekend's trip to West Ham. Nevertheless, further setbacks against sides Liverpool ought to overcome could ultimately determine Slot's tenure at Anfield.
Regarding potential successors, former manager Jurgen Klopp remains a recurring name in discussions, while an interim appointment is also being considered before identifying a permanent replacement at the season's conclusion.
With all this in mind, Liverpool.com has compiled the latest developments regarding Slot's future, Klopp speculation and the various verdicts being delivered on his potential dismissal.
Firing timeline
Jamie Carragher delivered a particularly scathing evaluation of Slot, with the Liverpool legend insisting on seven points from the team's forthcoming three matches against West Ham, Sunderland, and Leeds.
Slot has spoken several times on his Liverpool future this week
Slot has spoken several times on his Liverpool future this week (Image: Getty Images)
"Arne Slot has a week to save his job," he wrote in his Telegraph column. "No matter how much goodwill the manager has, Liverpool Football Club cannot sustain the drop in standards witnessed over the past three months.
"No one knows better than me how much that reality will be hurting everyone connected with my old club. Liverpool do not willingly sack coaches, especially those that bring great success. After Slot won the Premier League in his first season, he seemed destined for a long stay on Merseyside too. Now, just six months later, he is hanging on."
Liverpool future
In the aftermath of the 4-1 defeat against PSV, Slot delivered an unambiguous message regarding his future at Liverpool. "I am feeling safe, I am OK. I have got a lot of support from above," he said. "It would be nice to turn it around and get a victory, of course, but if you are not doing well, then it is normal that questions are asked.
"I'm not worried. What I mean by that is my focus is on other things than on my own position. I need to do better, and that's what I'm trying to do every single day."
The next day, Slot was once more questioned about his future. "We've had the same conversations as we've had since I've been here," he said. "We fight on. And we try to improve, that is what we all try. The conversations have been the same as the last 18 months.
"Let down by the players? No, not at all. Although I do agree that our standards, the team, have not been at the standard we're used to. We think we can play better than we do. The focus is on the team, not the individuals. If the opposite is happening, we look at the team, not the individuals. It's not easy to say what I can do different.
"If you win, lose or draw, you reflect on decisions you do in the week, maybe you do it more if you lose. We try to find the answer we need to win a game. In the end, it's about doing what this club is about - keep fighting, we have to fight together.
"It would also be nice if we reward ourselves in the moments we play well, because there are large parts when we do. Every small mistake or error leads to us conceding a goal."
Jurgen Klopp's stance
Klopp has addressed his future on several occasions since departing Liverpool, discussing potential returns to management. Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast last October, Klopp suggested it was "theoretically possible" he might one day return to Anfield.
However, in earlier comments, the German manager appeared to rule out such ambitions, indicating he's thoroughly enjoying his time away from the game. "Not at all," he confessed in 2024 when questioned about whether he eagerly awaits match kick-offs.
Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out returning to Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out returning to Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
"I was super happy with the way Liverpool performed. I watched some games. But it is not like, 'Oh, it’s Saturday!' I didn’t know when games started. I was just out. I played sports. We enjoyed life, spent time with the grandkids, completely normal stuff, knowing I will work again. But knowing as well, that I don’t want to work as a coach anymore."
When pressed on whether he truly believes he'll never return to coaching, Klopp replied: "That's what I think. But you don’t know. I’m 58. If I started again at 65, everybody will say, 'You said you’ll never do it again!' Er, sorry, I thought 100 percent (when I said it)!
"That is what I think now. I don’t miss anything."