FSG decide on Jurgen Klopp’s return to Liverpool as major speculation continues
Arne Slot is under huge pressure at Liverpool, with the coming weeks set to prove key for the Dutchman’s future at Anfield.
Questions are being asked of Slot at Liverpool, with the Reds having lost three consecutive games, and nine of the last 12.
The Premier League champions will travel to take on West Ham on Sunday, in a match that could well decide the former Feyenoord boss’s fate.
In all likelihood, Slot will have until Christmas to turn around Liverpool’s season, with decision-makers at Anfield reluctant to forget last season’s achievements, but pressure is growing by the week.
Slot is expected to drop Ibrahima Konate for the game against West Ham, with the defender in woeful form of late.
FSG keen to avoid ‘all-powerful manager’
Jurgen Klopp has been handed strong odds of replacing Slot, should Liverpool decide to dismiss the Dutchman.
The German is currently head of global football at Red Bull, after leaving the Reds 18 months ago.
The 58-year-old said he was running out of energy when he left, with his nine years at Anfield seeing his team win numerous major honours.
And Klopp has since confirmed that he is not interested in a return to management for now, but should that attitude remain when Liverpool are in need, it remains to be seen.
The Reds themselves may not actually be interested in pursuing their former manager, however, it has emerged.
The Guardian reported on Friday that Slot works differently from how Klopp did, in the sense that, while the Dutchman has a say in transfers, he merely works within a system put in place by owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
“FSG does not want an all-powerful manager in charge,” Andy Hunter wrote. “[Michael] Edwards would in all likelihood have not agreed to return to the club in March 2024 had that been the plan.”
Arne Slot has six games to save his job
Liverpool will hope that Sunday’s game, against 17th-placed West Ham, will provide a strong opportunity to get back to winning ways.
Meetings with high-flying Sunderland, relegation-threatened Leeds United, and Inter Milan will follow in December.
| Liverpool – fixtures | Date |
| West Ham (A) | 30 Nov |
| Sunderland (H) | 3 Dec |
| Leeds United (A) | 6 Dec |
| Inter Milan (A) | 9 Dec |
| Brighton (H) | 13 Dec |
| Tottenham (A) | 20 Dec |
And before Christmas, Liverpool will take on Brighton before travelling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on fellow strugglers Tottenham.
Anything less than three or four wins from those six would surely see Slot dismissed, with Liverpool running out of time to save their season.