Could Liverpool really sack Arne Slot and who would be in the driving seat to replace him - opinion
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Rodgers arguably never recovered from the successive defeats to Newcastle, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, but lasted 11 more months before being relieved of his duties.After Liverpool slumped to defeat against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, some supporters were perhaps worried that history could be repeating itself.Having won the Premier League at his first attempt, Arne Slot is no Brendan Rodgers. The real question is, could Liverpool really sack Slot?Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesLiverpool surely will not sack Arne SlotThe big concern for Liverpool supporters during this terrible run of form is not necessarily the fact that they have lost four games in a row.Each of those matches has slipped away in similar circumstances, with the three Premier League games all following exactly the same pattern.READ MORE: Wayne Rooney spotted Arne Slot doing something for the first time during Liverpool’s loss to Man UnitedLiverpool have fallen behind before rallying in the second-half.
They have never been hugely outplayed and have been in every game they’ve lost.What is more worrying is that even in the matches Liverpool have won this season, there has been a lack of a clear plan. If performances improve but results do not, that will at least be a start.Liverpool have generally been a club who have given their managers time.
It is a source of pride for supporters that they stick by those leading the team and only look to change things in extreme circumstances.But having spent such huge money in the summer, and given their status as champions, the goalposts have shifted at Anfield. If things continue beyond Christmas, then you never really know, but if this mini-crisis does not have any real legs, then it is hard to see Liverpool sacking their head coach.Andoni Iraola would be the chosen oneLiverpool would not have been expecting to formulate a back-up plan in case they need to relieve Slot of his duties this season.But while that should remain an unlikely scenario, the Liverpool owners will have to be ready just in case.In the event that results and performances do not improve and there is no option but to sack Slot, it feels likely that Andoni Iraola would be the man Liverpool turn to.Sporting director Richard Hughes hired Iraola at Bournemouth in 2023, and the Basque has since proven himself to be one of the most astute managers in Europe.Iraola has a clear idea of how he wants his team to play – one that would easily translate to the current Liverpool squad – and is appealing after watching the shapeless football Slot is asking of his team right now.Supporters should not expect that this will happen, but if the Liverpool head coach fails to halt the slide in Frankfurt on Wednesday, calls for his head on social media will continue to grow and grow.