The pressure is dialling up on Arne Slot as Liverpool's downward spiral in form continues, and two esteemed club figures are in agreement over the Dutchman's Anfield future
Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking at a press conference
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has received the backing of two Reds legends as pressure on his future continues to grow
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Liverpool continue to field questions concerning the future of Arne Slot and whether he'll be sacked amid a downturn in results. But two club icons are in agreement when it comes to whether or not last season's debutant hero should get the boot.
The Reds have lost nine of their past 12 games and most recently suffered a 4-1 home defeat by PSV in humiliating fashion. That's resulted in an elite shortlist of names being touted as possible Slot replacements, one of whom is currently out of a job.
And former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already given the supposed candidate his stamp of approval. Mirror Football explores the latest headlines around Anfield as Slot's side look to snap their latest losing streak at West Ham on Sunday.
Liverpool icons agree on Slot sacking
Liverpool legends Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman are in total agreement when it comes to whether or not the club should show Slot the door. And it should come as no surprise that after last term's Premier League heroics, they're keen to see the club keep the faith in their leader.
Both club icons had a front-row seat for Wednesday's worrying loss at home to PSV. Yet despite the result, they were eager to state their belief things will come good under the current boss, who was being hailed as a pioneer mere months ago.
"I think no," said McManaman when the topic of Slot's potential axe came up. "I think it's far too early, what he's achieved and where he is now this year, that's a good run of fixtures.
"I understand the question completely but with that run of fixtures, Liverpool still fighting in the Champions League, it's far too early to come up with a question like that. They will have to be knocked out of the Champions League and wallowing at the bottom of the league.
"I think they play Arsenal second week in Jan, that's when the question should be asked. Hopefully they'll have climbed the table. You have to give him time for the signings, who have constantly been injured, they're ones you'd expect to come in and lift the team."
McManaman went on to say it was "far too early" to be asking such questions concerning Slot's future. However, he did acknowledge such pressures are simply part of "the world we live in," and Gerrard wholeheartedly agreed.
Steven Gerrard manager of Liverpool U19 talking with ex Liverpool player Steve McManaman before the UEFA Champions League group E match between Sevilla FC U19 and Liverpool FC U19
Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman were in agreement that Slot deserves to keep his job for now
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"That's the world we live in, that's football in the modern day. I've been in that position myself," said the former Rangers and Aston Villa boss, who has been touted as a future Liverpool coach himself over the years. "You understand that if you're not getting the results, there is going to be serious questions asked, stewards inquiry, that comes with the territory especially at the top end."
"I agree, Macca, from me and you because we lived through it and suffered. I've been [on] both sides. It's going to come."
Klopp's high praise for Slot successor candidate
As for the matter of who could replace Slot should he leave, Zinedine Zidane stands as one of the more attractive options out there. Not only does the Frenchman's CV with Real Madrid make him one of the most appealing coaches in the world, but the fact that he's been without a coaching job since 2021 only adds to the appeal.
It's been heavily speculated that Zidane is already preparing to replace Didier Deschamps, who will wrap up his tenure as France boss after the 2026 World Cup. There's arguably no more desirable candidate in free agency right now, and Klopp gave a glowing assessment of his abilities leading up to Liverpool's clash with Real in the 2018 Champions League final.
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool shakes hands with Zinedine Zidane manager of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp praised Zinedine Zidane ahead of the 2018 Champions League final
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"If a lot of people think Zinedine Zidane has not a lot of tactical knowledge and then people think the same about me that would be really funny," said Klopp ahead of that game. "The two managers in the Champions League final have no clue about tactics? What would that say about the game?
"For me, Zinedine Zidane is one of the best five players of all time in football. I'm longer in Liverpool than he is at Real Madrid and he can win the Champions League for a third time. That's never happened before.
"Unfortunately, I have to accept that he is as brilliant as he was as a player. This group of players work like a clock from Switzerland. I saw his team playing a lot of times and it is just fantastic football. It is organised when it needs to be organised and chaos when it needs to be chaos."
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