Andoni Iraola has emerged as a potential managerial target for Liverpool in recent weeks, despite the most trusted reporters repeatedly stating that Arne Slot will not be sacked.
This season has been a gruelling one for Liverpool fans, but it’s not all doom and gloom.
Liverpool have a wealth of talent in many areas of the squad, even if they are collectively underperforming.
Latest on Andoni Iraola amid links to Chelsea, Liverpool and Crystal Palace
Speaking to Give Me Sport, trusted reporter Ben Jacobs reports that there is little truth to rumours that Iraola will manage Crystal Palace should he leave Bournemouth upon the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Jacobs said: “Now, we’ve heard some reports in the last 24 hours saying that Crystal Palace are or advancing on Iraola. That’s not my understanding. It’s an open race and as it stands, no agreement between Iraola and Crystal Palace. Even though he’s kind of a dream choice for the Eagles.
“There would of course be other suitors, Iraola is prepared to stay in England.
“And out of respect to Bournemouth, he wants to finish the season and then make a decision as to what is next. And Chelsea are expected to be a genuine suitor.”
The latest on Chelsea's search for a new manager ??@JacobsBen pic.twitter.com/H9aGpyaWUf
— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) May 7, 2026
Liverpool expected to keep faith with Arne Slot for better or worse
While there is enough reason to sack Slot based on his performance on the pitch and his seeming inability to explain the issues his team has faced, it must be said that FSG’s willingness to keep faith with the Dutchman is admirable.
Regular readers of Live4Liverpool will know that I have been one of Slot’s most outspoken critics, but there is potential for him to prove us all wrong next season.
He did win the Premier League in his first season in England after all.
There is an argument to be made after this season that his success last season had more to do with the lingering influence Jurgen Klopp had during his time on Merseyside, but that’s not entirely fair on Slot.
If Liverpool do indeed keep faith with Slot, he will need support from the fans even if belief in his abilities have faded over the course of this miserable season.
The campaign began with grief overshadowing the football side of things after Diogo Jota’s passing. For that reason alone, I am ready to get back behind the manager.
For better or worse, we must do the difficult thing and honour this club’s famous motto: You Never Walk Alone.