A few months ago, had you told any Liverpool fan that Arne Slot would be under pressure, they likely would have laughed in your face. Fresh off winning the Premier League during the Dutchman’s debut campaign, the Reds spent heavily to reinforce their squad with elite players, including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
But a week is a long time in football, and the situation at Anfield has deteriorated rapidly. The Merseysiders have lost four consecutive Premier League games in a row, with the 5-1 drubbing of Eintracht Frankfurt their only win in six. Following their 3-2 loss against Brentford, they are seven points behind league leaders Arsenal, and while reports indicate that Slot is not under internal pressure at the club, that could change if form continues to spiral.
Should the unthinkable happen and Slot is shown the door, there will be a queue of managers waiting to take the reigns. But who are the favourites to replace the current Liverpool boss? The Sun have compiled the managers with the best oddson Betfair to show exactly who is leading the charge.
Jose Mourinho
Odds – 25/1
From the infamous Champions League clashes to running down the touchline after Chelsea dealt a hammer blow to Liverpool’s title aspirations in 2014, Jose Mourinho has been involved in some memorable clashes against the Reds over the years. Yet this appointment feels incredibly unlikely.
For one, there have been numerous flashpoints between both parties, which means that the relationship between both groups isn’t necessarily on the best of terms. But more importantly, the Portuguese head coach has only recently taken up a post at Benfica, so chances of him leaving his present role so soon after joining are very slim.
7 Xabi Alonso
Odds – 16/1
LaLiga – Real Madrid v FC Barcelona – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – October 26, 2025 Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso reacts REUTERS/Susana Vera
You could make a similar point for Xabi Alonso as you did for Mourinho. The Spaniard had been linked with the Anfield post before Slot’s arrival in 2024, but remained at Bayer Leverkusen for an extra year. He has only recently replaced Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and is targeting a La Liga title in his first year at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Yet while current chances are slim, a door could open for Alonso to return to Liverpool later in his managerial career. After all, he spent five years at the club, becoming a fan-favourite for his spellbinding performances in the engine room. The romanticism of him taking up a place in the dugout is just too good to ignore.
6 Pep Lijnders
Odds – 10/1
If you’re going to make a mid-season change, who better to turn to than someone who knows the club like the back of their hand? Pep Lijnders had two spells at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, acting as his assistant coach and playing a part in the club’s successes in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Unfortunately for the Dutchman, there are a few factors which mean his odds are only 10/1. He has only recently joined Manchester City, where he is assisting Pep Guardiola. But more importantly, his spells as a manager at both NEC Nijmegen and Red Bull Salzburg didn’t go especially well, with him sacked by the Austrian club just months into a three-year contract. That will definitely be a warning sign to the Liverpool hierarchy.
5 Jurgen Klopp
Odds – 9/1
Besides, if you were going to appoint someone who knows the club well, it would make far more sense to move for Jurgen Klopp. The German manager enjoyed a phenomenal nine-season spell at Anfield, turning the Reds into one of the best teams in both England and in Europe as they lifted a sixth Champions League and a first Premier League in 20 years.
What makes this potential appointment even more enticing is that the 58-year-old recently refused to rule out taking charge of his former club again in an interview. He told The Diary of a CEO podcast: “I said I will never coach a different team in England so that means, if [I did return], then it’s Liverpool. So, yeah, theoretically it is possible.” That has put his odds at 9/1, although it would be remarkable to see him back at Anfield so soon after leaving.
4 Julian Nagelsmann
Odds – 7/1
Much like Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann was considered by the club’s hierarchywhen they were searching for a successor to the aforementioned Klopp. However, the German elected to remain at his post with the German national side.
The former RB Leipzig boss has often received rave reviews for his tactical intelligence, attracting interest from multiple clubs through the years. So, should Liverpool need someone who can incorporate Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike and Mohamed Salah into one team, then Nagelsmann could very well be the man they need. Unfortunately for the Reds, he signed a contract extension with Die Mannschaft in January 2025, which will keep him in his current post until the end of Euro 2028.
Zinedine Zidane
Odds – 9/2
Zinedine Zidane
As one of the greatest players of all time, one thing that Zinedine Zidane would do is command the respect of all players in his squad. But, arguably even more importantly, he would bring a winning mentality. The French international won two league titles during his first spell at Real Madrid, as well as three consecutive Champions League trophies – quite the resume.
To make matters even more interesting, Zidane remains out of work, having not managed since leaving Los Blancos in May 2021. And he’s spoken about his admiration for Liverpool’s stadium, stating that Anfield was the best stadium that he played in. It feels like it could be the perfect opportunity for the 53-year-old to return to coaching.
2 Andoni Iraola
Odds – 4/1
Should Liverpool wish to appoint a current Premier League manager, though, then Andoni Iraola is certainly likely to be on their shortlist. The Spanish head coach has turned Bournemouth into a fearsome side for English teams, with them playing an exciting brand of football and picking up results against clubs much bigger in stature.
Oliver Glasner
Odds – 3/1
If Slot is fired though, the most logical appointment for Liverpool to make is arguably Oliver Glasner. Since arriving at Crystal Palace in 2024, the Austrian manager has brought a new lease of life to an Eagles side which sometimes lacked inspiration under Roy Hodgson. He’s the mastermind behind two of Palace’s most incredible achievements in recent memory, winning the FA Cup in 2025 before beating Liverpool back at Wembley to win the Community Shield.
However, what makes him favourite for the job is his availability. Glasner’s future at Selhurst Park remains uncertain, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, meaning that his head could be turned should Liverpool come knocking. If Slot does go, then watch this space.