Liverpool’s debate over whether Arne Slot should be sacked has reignited following the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth and fresh rumors surrounding possible replacements.
It’s the kind of conversation that always gets louder when we go on a scoreless run, even if it doesn’t fit into the way Liverpool or FSG typically operate.
Slot is the reigning champion, and firing him mid-season would go against the long-standing model of stability and planning.
That hasn’t stopped the odds, the social media noise and even the odd ‘Klopp’ mention from entering the same messy conversation.
Stephen Warnock, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (via X), was asked directly about the idea that FSG would “pull the plug” if results deteriorated.
His answer was clear: “I don’t think FSG will pull the trigger too quickly.”
Warnock’s point wasn’t that everything is fine.
It was so that Liverpool’s decision-makers would look at the bigger picture rather than one result in Europe or one bad week in the league.
Closing talk ignores Liverpool’s model and what is still available
Is Arne Slot in danger? 🤔
The Liverpool manager is the bookmakers’ favorite to be sacked next.😲
🗣️Former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock shares his thoughts.#BBCFootball #Liverpool #LFC pic.twitter.com/PZRO3R633T
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) January 27, 2026
Warnock also pushed back on the idea that one bad result would end the season, “If they don’t get the result [against Qarabag]they still have a play-off and they can still qualify.
He went further to emphasize that even an imperfect European route does not close the door to competition.
“It can happen and they can still go on and win the Champions League so then, after a defeat, they can still progress.”
That’s important because despite all the frustrations in the league, we still live in the cups and we still fight for qualification for the Champions League through the competition.
We are sixth with 36 points, just behind Chelsea with 37 and Manchester United with 38.
That is not comfortable, but it is also not a situation that calls for panic decisions.
It’s also worth noting that one of Slot’s problems this season has been how open he’s been about our weaknesses in interviews, including set pieces, which can feed the external noise.
But openness is not the same as losing the dressing room, and the club’s historic instinct is to back the manager and put the football in order.
The chances for Liverpool’s next manager show the noise, not the plan
The replacement conversation is driven as much by the markets as it is by football logic.
Oddschecker’s The market for ‘next permanent Liverpool manager’ has Xabi Alonso as the clear favourite, with Luis Enrique next in the list.
Next permanent Liverpool manager chances (via Oddschecker)
| Manager | Chances | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|
| Xabi Alonso | 1/2 | 67% |
| Luis Enrique | 2/1 | 33% |
| Oliver Glasner | 10/1 | 9% |
| Steven Gerard | 12/1 | 8% |
There is also a separate layer of ‘where gamblers put money in’, which is even more extreme.
Percentage of bets placed this week (via Oddschecker)
| Name | % of bets |
|---|---|
| Xabi Alonso | 74% |
| Luis Enrique | 7% |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 7% |
| Julian Nagelsmann | 5% |
| Steven Gerard | 5% |
| Jurgen Klopp | 2% |
That tells you how the conversation is going, not what Liverpool are planning.
Warnock made that exact point when asking what the realistic replacement would be.
“I think they would look at things from a bigger perspective and think, OK, what would be the replacement now.”
Gerrard’s suggestion was also raised, and Warnock’s response was factual “Why, just because he’s an ex-player?
“I mean this hypothetically speaking: if Arne Slot left the football club and Steven came in, I’m sure the Liverpool fans would love it.”
That’s a fair warning, because sentiment is not a strategy, and Gerrard’s last two jobs did not end in success or success.
Alonso, meanwhile, is an excellent manager, but he rejected us when Klopp left, and Slot has beaten him twice in two seasons.
Whatever the frustrations, we owe Slot time to solve problems that are real but not irreversible.
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