Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are once again confronted with a difficult decision. As the reigning Premier League champions experience a troubling downturn in form and fan frustration escalates, FSG must determine the fate of head coach Arne Slot.
Slot has lost the confidence of many supporters. Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport that he believes the situation will likely lead to the Dutchman’s departure within months.
This is a scenario FSG has encountered before. In 2015, Brendan Rodgers—despite having less credit than Slot earned with last season’s title win—faced similar discontent from Liverpool fans after a humiliating 6-1 loss at Stoke City, finishing sixth and 25 points behind champions Chelsea.
FSG, led by principal owner John W. Henry and chairman Tom Werner, had to decide whether to stick with Rodgers or make a change. At the time, they kept faith with Rodgers and revamped his backroom staff. They also invested heavily in signings like Christian Benteke (£32.5m from Aston Villa) and Roberto Firmino (£29m from Hoffenheim), while recouping £49m from Raheem Sterling’s sale to Manchester City. However, the strategy failed, and Rodgers was sacked in early October, replaced by Jurgen Klopp—a move that ushered in a golden era, including a Champions League title in 2019 and the Premier League crown in 2020.
Now, FSG faces a similar crossroads. Should they back Slot with additional funds—he was already supported with a £450m transfer outlay last summer—or cut their losses and start anew?
Will Xabi Alonso’s availability make him an option?
There are currently no signs that FSG plans to part ways with Slot, but the chorus of discontent from Liverpool supporters is growing louder. Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea unfolded in a toxic atmosphere rarely seen at Anfield.
Now, former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has become a fan favorite among the Kop. Alonso remains hugely popular after his stellar Anfield career, having won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen before a short stint at Real Madrid.
Murphy believes Slot’s departure is now a matter of when, not if, given the growing revolt in the stands. He recalled being interviewed by Rodgers for a role on the reshaped coaching team before the manager was sacked, with the job eventually going to Gary McAllister.
Murphy told BBC Sport: “Slot has won a title, which Brendan didn’t do, so on the surface it would make more sense to stick with him. I do feel strongly it is unfair to say he only won the title with Klopp’s team. That’s just not right.
“The problem Slot has, especially at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is that when the fanbase turns, you are really struggling to get them back unless you win every game—and not just win, but win in a style Liverpool fans expect and demand.
“This season you have seen Liverpool being dictated to by the way other teams play at Anfield. Fair enough, it’s different away from home, but at home you expect Liverpool to be going after you, not giving you time to breathe. Too often it’s not been like that.”
This has led to a mutinous mood not seen since Roy Hodgson’s six months at Liverpool in 2010-11, or the latter months under Rodgers, though that was more resignation than revolt.
Murphy added: “It’s a great point to compare Rodgers and Slot, because there needs to be someone who’s in the wings and available who can take the reins now.
“Is there a suitable candidate who can move them forward? The obvious name out there is Xabi Alonso, who is available. He has popularity, which is key because it gives you a few months’ grace. It also means everybody starts the season in a good place with a lot of energy.”
Alonso is emerging as a potential target for Chelsea, but Murphy believes Liverpool should aim even higher and target Paris St-Germain coach Luis Enrique, who is on course for a second successive Champions League title.
“My only concern with Alonso is more to do with style,” said Murphy. “He struggled with man-management at Real Madrid, but that’s a small concern.
“The gut feeling is that he likes possession with the Spanish mentality, but maybe I’m doing him an injustice because he played at Liverpool. He understands what the fans want. He also has the advantage of previously working with Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong at Leverkusen.
“If Alonso is a small risk, like anybody, you then ask: is he still better than the situation they’re in? Unfortunately for Slot, I feel the answer is ‘yes’.”
Murphy has sympathy for Slot, especially given the summer transfer churn. “Nobody wants that many changes when you’ve just won the title.
“He had to replace players of the quality of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz. There has also been Mohamed Salah’s decline, which no one saw coming. Salah then publicly challenged Slot’s authority, even though he gave him more time than he deserved before leaving him out.
“There was the tragedy of Diogo Jota’s death—we must not forget that—and on the pitch it has not looked right from day one.
“I think that boils down to the simple fact that the new players have found it difficult to cope with the pressure of playing for Liverpool.
“If you take Hugo Ekitike out, the rest have struggled. Alexander Isak has been injured. Florian Wirtz is a real talent, but has not produced enough goals, or enough creativity.”
Murphy believes Slot’s biggest challenge is winning back the support of Liverpool’s fans, which has rapidly eroded this season.
He said: “I just don’t see a situation, regardless of transfers in and outs—and there will be a lot in the summer—where the fans get back to being 100% behind Slot.
“For that to happen, he would have to go on a run like he did in his first season, where he basically won every game. He then has to play in a certain way that Liverpool fans expect.
“I think Slot’s time is probably up. The main reason for saying this is not a dislike of him. I think he’s a good guy and a very bright coach, but the reality is Liverpool’s fanbase is as powerful as any out there, for all sorts of reasons. We know how strong they are in fighting the cause over tickets and other issues, not just the manager.
“I don’t remember a time when the fans turned on a manager then turned it back around.”
Murphy also feels FSG risks falling behind if they follow the Rodgers template from 2015 and keep Slot in place.
He said: “What you’re doing then is taking the huge risk of banking on starting next season amazingly well, with everything going brilliantly.
“I think that’s unlikely, especially with the changes that are going to happen, so you’re then behind the eight ball because you might have to take a decision when everyone else is kicking on.
“I think we are looking at an inevitable departure, whether it is now or a few months into the season.”
