Ex-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has suggested that the club may have had a word with Jürgen Klopp following his blunt prediction that Arne Slot's tenure as head coach is nearing its end. The Reds, current Premier League champions, are in a dire run of form, having suffered nine defeats in their last 12 games across all competitions.
Their latest loss was particularly crushing, with Liverpool being thrashed 4-1 by PSV in the Champions League. This marked the third consecutive match where Slot's side lost by a three-goal margin, having previously been defeated 3-0 by Nottingham Forest and Manchester City on either side of the international break.
This string of uninspiring performances in quick succession has led Hamann, a Champions League victor with Liverpool, to predict that Slot's dismissal is imminent. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, he said: "Liverpool's 1-4 defeat against Eindhoven was their ninth loss in the last twelve games.
"I believe Arne Slot has lost control of the team. It's falling apart, everyone is doing what they want, like Salah before PSV's second goal.
"Liverpool will have major problems finishing in the Premier League top four. I don't believe these problems can be solved quickly or easily. The situation is so complex that the club will certainly be discussing the manager's position.
"Slot's end is near. I never thought it would come to this after the brilliant season he had last year, but I believe his credit has now run out."
Should Liverpool and Slot part company before the campaign concludes, the identity of his replacement remains unclear, though a caretaker manager would probably take charge on a temporary basis. A surprising Klopp return has dominated conversations after the German recently hinted that a comeback to Anfield was "theoretically possible".
Hamann has subsequently offered his thoughts on that possibility, with the 52 year old "assuming" discussions between Liverpool and Klopp may have already taken place behind closed doors. He stated: "Many are already longing for Jurgen Klopp's return. If you ask the fans, many will surely say: 'That would be something!'
"How likely is it that he'll return to Liverpool? I have no idea. But it would be the story of the decade. The club will already have considered alternative managers. I assume they've spoken with Klopp."
Jurgen Klopp is now working for Red Bull
Jurgen Klopp is now working for Red Bull (Image: (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images))
However, for any unlikely Klopp return to come to fruition, Liverpool would first need to sack Slot, who remains confident he'll be afforded more time to turn around the club's fortunes. After the PSV defeat, the Liverpool manager said: "I am feeling safe, I am OK. I have got a lot of support from above.
"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 am OK with my position. It is not the first time I've been in a difficult position, but it is about time that we turned it around.
"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."