View ImageA new Jurgen Klopp Liverpool return theory has emerged with Arne Slot possibly facing the sack(Image: (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images))
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes the club will have had a conversation with Jürgen Klopp after bluntly predicting that Arne Slot will soon no longer be head coach. The Premier League champions are currently in a dreadful slump, having lost nine of their last 12 matches across all competitions.
Their most recent defeat was particularly devastating as Liverpool were trounced 4-1 by PSV in the Champions League. This marked the third time in a row that Slot’s team have been defeated by a three-goal margin, having previously been beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest and Manchester Cityeither side of the international break.
A series of lacklustre performances in such a short period has led Hamann, a Champions League winner with Liverpool, to believe that Slot is going to be sacked soon. He told Sky Sports Germany: “Liverpool’s 1-4 defeat against Eindhoven was their ninth loss in the last twelve games.
“I believe Arne Slot has lost control of the team. It’s falling apart, everyone is doing what they want, like Salah before PSV’s second goal.
“Liverpool will have major problems finishing in the Premier League top four. I don’t believe these problems can be solved quickly or easily. The situation is so complex that the club will certainly be discussing the manager’s position.
“Slot’s end is near. I never thought it would come to this after the brilliant season he had last year, but I believe his credit has now run out.”
Should Liverpool and Slot go their separate ways before the season ends, the identity of his successor remains uncertain, though an interim manager would likely step in temporarily. A shock Klopp comeback has dominated discussions after the German recently suggested a return to Anfield was “theoretically possible”.
Hamann has since weighed in on that prospect, with the 52-year-old suggesting talks between Liverpool and Klopp may have already occurred behind the scenes. He stated: “Many are already longing for Jurgen Klopp’s return. If you ask the fans, many will surely say: “That would be something!
“How likely is it that he’ll return to Liverpool? I have no idea. But it would be the story of the decade. The club will already have considered alternative managers. I assume they’ve spoken with Klopp.”
Yet for any improbable Klopp comeback to materialise, Liverpool would first need to dismiss Slot, who remains convinced he’ll be given additional time to reverse the club’s fortunes. Following the PSV defeat, the Liverpool boss said: “I am feeling safe, I am OK. I have got a lot of support from above.
“It would be nice to turn it around and get a victory, of course, but if you are not doing well, then it is normal that questions are asked.
“I am OK with my position. It is not the first time I’ve been in a difficult position, but it is about time that we turned it around.
“I’m not worried. What I mean by that is my focus is on other things than on my own position. I need to do better, and that’s what I’m trying to do every single day.”