Arne Slot’s position as head coach of Liverpool F.C. is facing increasing scrutiny after the Reds dropped points against Tottenham Hotspur F.C. at Anfield on Sunday.
The draw means the Merseyside club remain in fifth place behind Aston Villa F.C.. A victory over Igor Tudor’s struggling Spurs side would have lifted Liverpool above the Villans into fourth.
Speculation is now growing that club legend Steven Gerrard could step in as an interim manager until the summer, raising questions about whether the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), might respond to mounting pressure from supporters.
Liverpool’s performances under Slot have looked worrying in recent weeks. Following the weekend’s result, his odds of becoming the next Premier League manager to be sacked dropped to 11/4, making him the third-most likely behind Oliver Glasner and Scott Parker.
Despite this, many observers—including those at Empire of the Kop—believe FSG are likely to keep faith with the Dutch coach until at least the summer, based on the club’s history of giving managers time. Still, the current outlook is far from encouraging.
Research highlighted by BBC Sport journalist Emlyn Begley revealed that Liverpool could have had as many as 60 points at this stage if they had not conceded goals after the 90-minute mark in eight different league matches. Such a tally would have placed them just one point behind Manchester City F.C. in second and ten behind league leaders Arsenal F.C., while also holding a game in hand.
If FSG were to make the drastic decision to dismiss Slot, it seems unlikely that their long-term managerial target—potentially Xabi Alonso—would arrive this late in the 2025/26 campaign. Instead, the club would probably appoint a short-term caretaker to guide Liverpool through the remainder of the season and hopefully secure a UEFA Champions League place.
Gerrard’s name has repeatedly been mentioned as a possible temporary option should the club opt for a managerial change. While many supporters prefer stability unless circumstances are extreme, the idea does carry a certain practical appeal.
Some fans have pointed to the improvement seen under Michael Carrick at Manchester United F.C. as evidence that a change could spark better results, at least until the summer. However, critics argue that comparison may be misleading. As Mo Stewart from The Anfield Wrap noted on X (formerly Twitter), Carrick has benefited from having more time to implement his ideas with his squad.
