Over the summer, 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 on reinforcing 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. A shadow of their title-winning side last season, the Merseysiders are now fourth in the table and 14 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 reins. But who are the favourites to replace the current Liverpool boss? Sky Bet have compiled the managers with the best odds to show exactly who is leading the charge.
Xavi
Odds – 14/1
EThe legendary midfielder has won league titles in Qatar and Spain, with his beloved Barcelona, and is currently a free agent after departing the Camp Nou in May 2024 following a bust-up with the board and pouncing on Xavi Hernandez‘s free agency could be a wise decision by Anfield bosses.
Known for his possession-heavy style of play and attack-minded process, he would likely be a popular appointment at Anfield, and it has been reported that he would be open to a move to England for his next job.
However, whether his lack of experience at the highest level as a manager would count against him remains to be seen, and with the club’s biggest issue being their balance across the team, a shift in identity at this stage could be a problem the board would rather do without.
Simone Inzaghi
Odds – 14/1
After reaching the Champions League final last season with Inter Milan, the seasoned Simone Inzaghi made the move to the Middle East in the summer of 2025, but a return to one of Europe’s elite clubs could potentially be too good to turn down.
Known for a more pragmatic style, the Italian would undoubtedly bring some solidity to Anfield’s defence to solve their recent issues, while his teams always provide a threat going forward.
It would be a big surprise to see him leave Saudi Arabia so early into his reign there, but Liverpool don’t come calling often, so it’s certainly one to look out for after he entered the market at 14/1.
Marco Silva
Odds – 14/1
The Premier League-proven boss in Marco Silva has garnered a great reputation after doing a top job in west London on the books of Fulham, but the former Watford and Everton boss is largely untested at the very top level.
The Portuguese coach is out of contract at Craven Cottage in the summer, although GMS understands that he has been offered a new deal.
It could be relatively cheap to get him to Anfield now, but whether he would leave in mid-season remains to be seen, and there would be major question marks from the fan base if he was selected to take over the struggling reigning champions, considering his CV.
Zinedine Zidane
Odds – 12/1
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 former France 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.
Unai Emery
Odds – 10/1
Having taken over from Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, Unai Emery has developed into one of Europe’s top coaches and would surely be a name considered by the board at Anfield if Slot were to leave. The Spaniard has had big success in Europe with Sevilla and Villarreal in the past, while he has plenty of experience in the Premier League too.
But his pragmatic style is one that tends to lend itself more to the underdog, and Liverpool fans would surely question if he is the right man to take them forward in the long run after his ill-fated stint at Arsenal. Villa would also push hard to keep him at the club, and it may not be worth the hassle to get him out in mid-season, meaning the club push for an alternative option instead.
Julian Nagelsmann
Odds – 10/1
Much like Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann was considered by the club’s hierarchy when 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.
Steven Gerrard
Odds – 10/1
Mr Liverpool himself, former club captain Steven Gerrard is currently a free agent in the managerial market and has recently admitted that he is looking for his next job and that a return to Anfield would undoubtedly be a fairytale for all involved.
Gerrard won the league at Rangers before ill-fated spells with Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, but his connection to the Reds would surely make the role impossible for him to turn down if it were offered to him, and it could be one the fans are clamouring for as they look for a reason to believe once again.
A temporary spell in charge until the end of the season could be ideal for everyone involved. Previously, Gerrard – widely regarded as one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players – had been priced at 25/1, but he’s now dropped all the way to 10/1, so there is surely something to keep an eye on here.
Xabi Alonso
Odds – 10/3
Some recent reports coming out
Some recent reports coming out of Santiago Bernabeu circles suggest Xabi Alonso has lost the dressing room at Real Madrid, which would make it fine time for the Reds’ hierarchy to go back in for him after initial suggestions following Klopp’s departure were that their former midfielder was top of their list anyway
Jurgen Klopp
Odds – 10/3
you were going to appoint someone who knows the club well, it would make 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 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.
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 10/3, making him the bookies’ joint-favourite, although it would be remarkable to see him back at Anfield so soon after leaving.