FSG's senior leaders banged the same drum throughout the campaign, but after Liverpool reached the Premier League finish line in fifth place, it was clear that change was needed.
Toxicity levels had risen, and then some, and Arne Slot maintained til the end that he had full confidence in his position, that he would be in charge next season to lead the resurgence.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts
Instead, Andoni Iraola is going to be approached this week and offered the Anfield job, his contract with Bournemouth having expired after three successful years.
There's a lot to sort out, but sporting director Richard Hughes is already looking to sign an elite forward to replace Mohamed Salah, and Yan Diomande isn't the only one on his radar.
Liverpool in talks for global superstar
RB Leipzig winger Diomande is only 19, but he is already one of the most sought-after wingers in the world, and Liverpool are among the frontrunners to secure his signature this summer, valued at £87m.
However, with Paris Saint-Germain set to step up their bid for the Ivory Coast international, Hughes would be wise to keep a grip on alternative targets, with one man in particular standing out as a dream target.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are among the clubs in talks with representatives to sign Vinicius Junior this summer, with the Real Madrid disillusioned with life at the club.
vinicius-real-madrid
Previously valued at £130m, Vini. Jr is about to enter the final year of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, so Liverpool will fancy their chances of avoiding paying through the nose.
Why Vini. Jr would be a better signing than Diomande for Liverpool
Vinicius Junior is a player Liverpool know well. And for all the wrong reasons. He has been on the striking end of several deflating Champions League defeats, two in finals, and is regarded as a "superstar", as dubbed in the past by former teammate Luka Modric.
Since arriving in the Spanish capital in a £39m deal when he was only 18 years old, the Brazilian forward, who will feature prominently at the World Cup, has won a myriad of titles and come within a whisker of winning the Ballon d'Or. Across all competitions, he has
Diomande is the talk of the town right now, but for a teenager with limited experience at the highest level to join a club like Liverpool and be expected to replace the irreplaceable Salah is a tall order, especially from the get-go, especially with Liverpool (maybe Iraola's Liverpool) in need of an instant lift.
Vini. Jr is not a natural right winger, but his world-class ability across the frontline is without question, and as Hugo Ekitike continues to recuperate from an Achilles rupture that will keep him sidelined for many months yet, it may be that his skills are required at number nine.
Vinicius Junior's Career Stats by Position
Position
Left winger
Centre-forward
Right winger
Attacking midfield
Given that Liverpool plan on signing two wingers this month anyway, there's every reason for the 25-year-old to arrive alongside a more stylistic Diomande alternative.
The main thing is that, even for an inflated price, Liverpool would get bang for their buck with Vini. Jr. The silky winger scored 22 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions last year, and he is a natural-born winner who would put Liverpool back on their perch after a tough campaign under Slot's wing.
This superstar striker is one of the quickest and most physical attackers out there. He can beat any opponent, shifting left or right with the grace and pace of a cheetah. He is just as deadly when taking the killer blow.
Vinicius-Junior-Madrid
One of the greatest big-game players of his generation, Vini. Jr is one of the best in the business, and Liverpool could do a lot worse than welcome him into Iraola's system ahead of the new campaign.
eli-kroupi-bournemouth-premier-league Related
Iraola's next Junior Kroupi has already agreed to sign for Liverpool
Liverpool are set for a new era once again after the departure of Arne Slot over the weekend.