Surprise name leads the race to replace Arne Slot after PSV thrashing

November 27, 2025 Oliver Obel

Wednesday’s 4–1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, highlighted by Sky Sports, BBC Sport and other UK broadcasters, extended a run that has left supporters uneasy. Across their last three outings, including the 3–0 loss to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have conceded seven goals and scored only once.

The defensive disorganisation on display against PSV added to concerns already circulating among fans and pundits.

Although Liverpool have not released any statement about Slot’s future, the tone around the club has shifted. Analysts on TNT Sports questioned the team’s tactical cohesion, while several local radio callers described the mood as “flat” and “uncertain.”

Slot, who arrived with significant expectations, now finds his early-season momentum slipping at a moment when the squad appears short on confidence.

Focus turns to alternatives

Speculation over potential successors had mostly centred on Premier League names. Reports in The Guardian and The Telegraph noted internal discussions about Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, both viewed as coaches with adaptable systems suited to Liverpool’s squad profile.

But betting markets responded quickly after the midweek defeat. Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, currently managing Real Madrid, has seen his odds shortened to around 3/1 according to Betfair and several UK bookmakers.

Spanish outlets including AS and Marca reported tension between Alonso and parts of the Madrid dressing room, including issues involving Vinícius Júnior, after a frustrating domestic stretch.

Still, Alonso continues to deliver on the pitch. His side edged Olympiacos 4–3 in a dramatic Champions League meeting, driven by four goals from Kylian Mbappé, a result that tempered the pressure somewhat.

Klopp’s name resurfaces

Adding another twist, Jürgen Klopp has climbed to the same price point in several markets. The former Liverpool manager, who departed at the end of the 2023/24 season, now oversees Red Bull’s global football operations.

While he has spoken openly about needing distance from day-to-day management, he has never fully dismissed a future return.

In a recent appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Klopp said:

“I said I will never coach a different team in England so that means, if [I did return], then it’s Liverpool. So, yeah, theoretically it is possible.”

His comments, while cautious, reignited long-running speculation among fans who still regard him as the architect of Liverpool’s modern resurgence.

What lies ahead

For now, Liverpool’s hierarchy is keeping quiet. Slot will lead the team into this weekend’s Premier League fixture, and insiders suggest no immediate decision is expected unless results continue to deteriorate.

However, the combination of on-pitch struggles and a rapidly shifting managerial market means the club enters a pivotal stretch of the season with far more questions than answers.

Sources: Sky Sports, BBC Sport, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Betfair, AS, Marca