Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes made the bold call to fire Arne Slot this weekend, but there are more huge decisions coming up that will need to be taken care of quickly
06:00, 01 Jun 2026
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes during a press conference in July 2024.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes during a press conference in July 2024.(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
If you had asked anyone to predict the next 12 months after Liverpool won the Premier League title, any suggestion that Arne Slot would be fired having lost 19 games in all competitions would have been ludicrous.
On Saturday, though, his fate was sealed. Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, in conjunction with others behind the scenes, decided that it was the best course of action, with Andoni Iraola widely reported as being the leading contender to take over.
The decision to part ways with Slot was welcomed by plenty of Liverpool fans after a difficult campaign. Removing him from his position, though, is just the start of some major decisions that are looming at Anfield.
Where does Hughes' own future lie?
That Slot only had one year left on his contract at Liverpool was often put forward in recent times as a big question mark hanging over his long-term future. In the end, that has kind of proven true.
Hughes and FSG's CEO of football, Michael Edwards, though, are in the same position. They too have done two out of the three years that they initially signed up for.
With links to the Saudi Pro League and FSG having so far been unable to move into the multi-club model — something that Edwards specifically said was the reason he returned to the fold — there needs to be clarity on what the future holds right from the top.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 05: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot new head coach of Liverpool and Richard Hughes sporting director of Liverpool during their first press conference at AXA Training Centre on July 05, 2024 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot (left) was the first choice for Liverpool and their sporting director Richard Hughes but two years after his appointment, the title-winning boss is now out of work(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
How many more signings does Liverpool need?
If Iraola is to become the next Liverpool head coach, his style is full-throttle. That is exactly what the Reds want, but they also need to provide a squad that is capable of doing it.
As it stands, Liverpool does not have enough depth in attack. There are now questions about its central defensive department as well, given that Ibrahima Konate is moving on. Any exits in midfield would leave a hole that needs filling.
To play at a higher tempo inevitably brings more injuries, and Iraola doesn't have experience of managing in Europe either. Having enough options is vital to avoid undermining the chances of success, which could make this summer another busy one in the market.
Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield.
Andoni Iraola has been linked with the vacant Liverpool job(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
How can Liverpool get more from Alexander Isak?
Slot often made the point that he had not really had a chance to work with lots of the talent that he brought in last summer, when $600M moves were made in the market (offset by around half of that sum coming back in sales).
Getting Alexander Isak firing — let alone Florian Wirtz and others — would make a huge difference. After a full summer, the Swede should immediately look sharper.
"He's clearly a very talented player, and we saw that at Newcastle," former Arsenal striker Alan Smith told Liverpool.com this week.
"There aren't many about like him. So, yeah, for him, it's fitness and for Liverpool to get their act together, really, isn't it? And to do a lot better than this season."
Isak is a proven goalscorer who would have done better next season under any coach, given how little he managed to play at anything close to full tilt in his debut campaign. Getting more from him will unlock a minimum of 10 more league points.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak of Liverpool.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak of Liverpool.(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi via Getty Images)
With Hugo Ekitike injured, does Liverpool need to sign another striker?
Given that Hugo Ekitike is set to be sidelined for the long-term because of his Achilles injury, only Isak is fit of the number nines at the moment. Given his fitness troubles, that is a concern.
"I think they do need another striker," Smith says. "It's a huge blow with Ekitike being out. You're loath to spend a hundred million because he will be back eventually, but Wirtz is a number 10. Salah's gone.
"It does look like they need either somebody coming in from the right or another central striker. So yeah, that might be one of the first ports of call for Liverpool."
Bringing in a versatile attacker who can play centrally but also out wide would make sense. Someone like Anthony Gordon would have fitted the bill, though he is now at Barcelona.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Anfield on April 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England
Hugo Ekitike will miss the start of next season for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
How can Liverpool move forward without Mohamed Salah?
Yan Diomande has been linked with Liverpool and even though he won't come cheap, the teenager would be a good option. Whoever it is, the Reds are in dire need of more numbers and quality in wide areas.
"I don't know who they might get," Smith, speaking on behalf of Best Betting Sites, says. "Jarrod Bowen, he might be available. There might be some players that you didn't think would be available.
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"Salah goes down as an all-time great. I think he gets in the Premier League best eleven on the right-hand side. So you've got to try and bring some quality in there, and it's not going to be easy."
Get some more goals and creativity on the wings, with Wirtz and Isak in attack too, and Liverpool could suddenly look very different next season. That could have been the case with Slot — but will now be the challenge facing the next incumbent instead.