LIVERPOOL COULD HOLD TALKS WITH TWO ANDONI IRAOLA ALTERNATIVES AFTER FIRING ARNE SLOT

Former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is one of the leading favorites to replace Arne Slot in the Liverpool dugout after the Dutchman was sacked, but there could be some interesting alternatives

Liverpool could turn its attention to Lens boss Pierre Sage (L) and Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness (R) and alternatives to Andoni Iraola this summer

Liverpool could look to turn its attention to two relatively unheard-of European managers as potential replacements for Arne Slot this summer.

The Reds decided to part ways with Slot, 47, following an end-of-season review this week, concluding that a fresh approach is required after the team failed to secure any silverware and limped to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League a year on from winning the title.

Heading up the list of frontrunners to replace the Dutchman in the hot seat at Anfield is Andoni Iraola, who is set to leave Bournemouth upon the expiry of his contract this summer following a record-breaking three years on the south coast.

The Spaniard led the Cherries to a sixth-place finish - three points behind Liverpool - and European football for the first time in the club's history after they secured a spot in the Europa League with a final-day 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

Perhaps surprisingly, Iraola, 43, is yet to be snapped up by another club, but the timing of Slot's sacking makes him a leading favorite to replace the former Feyenoord boss at Anfield.

However, according to several reports, the Reds are also willing to cast their eye over the European market once more, just as they did with Slot, with Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness and Lens boss Pierre Sage said to be potential options, per The Athletic.

Hoeness, 44, recently qualified Stuttgart for the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish in the Bundesliga this season

Hoeness, 44, is coming off the back of a season in which he led Stuttgart to a fourth-placed finish in the Bundesliga - securing Champions League football in 2026/27 in the process - and the Last 16 of the Europa League.

Last weekend, the German - who spent two seasons in charge of TSG Hoffenheim before being appointed at Stuttgart in April 2023 - saw his side defeated 3-0 by Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin, 12 months on from winning the competition.

Honess likes to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation and according to Bundesliga.com, "strikes the necessary balance between defensive stability and expansive attacking football. When his team finds that perfect flow, the results are spectacular."

As for Sage, he guided Lens to a remarkable second-place finish in Ligue 1 this season, pushing eventual winners PSG all the way right up until the final week of the season, eventually finishing six points behind the reigning champions.

Sage, 47, led Lens to its first-ever Coupe de France title last weekend

The Frenchman, who previously managed Lyon between November 2023 and January 2025, was rewarded with the UNFP Ligue 1 Manager of the Year for his efforts, while last weekend saw him guide Lens to its first-ever Coupe de France title, with a 3-1 victory over Nice at the Stade de France.

Ironically, Sage, 47, made headlines in France last weekend by telling Téléfoot that his dream was to manage Liverpool amid continued doubts over his future.

It can be imagined, then, that the Reds would have no issue bringing the Frenchman to Anfield should they so wish, although he remains contracted at the Ligue 1 club until the summer of 2028.

- Tom Malley

CURRENT PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERS

 

OLLIE WATKINS DROPS DAMNING VERDICT ABOUT ARNE SLOT'S LIVERPOOL AFTER ASTON VILLA'S 4-2 WIN

 

Ollie Watkins provided some eye-opening analysis on Arne Slot’s Liverpool after helping Aston Villa secure a 4-2 win at Villa Park on Friday night.

Villa put Liverpool to the sword in front of their home fans, sealing Champions League football in style with a deserved win over the reigning Premier League champions.

Unai Emery’s side went 1-0 up on the stroke of half-time through Morgan Rogers. Virgil van Dijk then levelled the scores early in the second half before Watkins restored Villa’s lead minutes later.

Watkins then doubled his tally in the 73rd minute before John McGinn made it 3-1 late on. Van Dijk made the scoreline slightly more respectable for Liverpool before full-time but this was another bitterly disappointing night for Slot and his beleaguered players.

Watkins on Facing Slot's Liverpool

Ollie Watkins scored against Liverpool

Sky Sports spoke to Watkins, who has now scored eight Premier League goals against Liverpool over the course of his career. Only Andy Cole (11) and Harry Kane (nine) have netted more times against the Reds.

During a frank live TV interview, Watkins described Liverpool as having a “disjointed” defence that don’t play offsides, making them a dream opponent for himself. The England international said:

“They play a high line and they don’t play offsides so they’re disjointed at the back and I feel like there’s a lot of space for me to run into."

He added: “I feel like I’m always going to get opportunities against them, that’s no disrespect to them. The two centre-backs are world-class at the end of the day, but I think I spot opportunities and spaces in between them.

“When it’s a high line like that I like to run in behind and create some danger for them.”

- Rob Swan

IT'S ALL ABOUT XABI ALONSO! LIVERPOOL FC HAVE REPORTEDLY CONTACTED REAL MADRID

 

The phones are ringing off the hook between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid. But this isn't about transfers; it's about the controversial Xabi Alonso case.

According to reports in the Spanish newspaper AS, Liverpool have contacted Real Madrid to enquire about Xabi Alonso and to gain insight into his brief, underwhelming spell as manager at the Bernabéu.

Before entrusting him with Arne Slot's legacy, Liverpool want to know why the former midfield maestro flopped so spectacularly in Madrid. The Mersey club is in a fragile position. 

After a disastrous season that has left Liverpool in disarray despite investments of over €400 million, Slot's days are numbered, and Alonso—long seen as the front-runner to take the LFC hot seat—is now being closely scrutinised. 

Getty Images Sport 

Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool FC

Slot is under contract with Liverpool until 2027. After a strong debut season in which he helped the Reds win the English league title comfortably, the club's campaign has derailed this term.

The club exited all three cup competitions—the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup—at early stages and have long since relinquished their Premier League defence, currently sitting 20 points adrift of leaders Arsenal in fourth.

Slot and his playing style have therefore faced a barrage of criticism—some of it scathing—in recent months, and the English media report that the club is at least weighing a managerial change.

Alonso and the rift in Real's dressing room

Alonso had deeply split the Real Madrid dressing room, according to several media reports. Tensions rose in October as key players such as Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde openly criticised his methods—including lengthy tactical sessions and video analysis.

Nevertheless, another faction backed Alonso's methods and his drive to overhaul the system and playing style. For these players, the persistent griping—especially from Vinicius—was merely a pretext; the Brazilian's standing under Alonso simply did not match his status under former coach Carlo Ancelotti. 

The disrespect shown by some players was so flagrant that, according to reports, some even pretended to sleep during tactical sessions and chatted when Alonso spoke. This behaviour not only infuriated his allies in the squad but also triggered a meltdown from the coach, who remains without a club. "I didn't realise I'd walked into a nursery here," the stunned Alonso is said to have shouted at one point.

- Translated by

ANGRY ARNE SLOT SAYS VAR HAS BEEN AGAINST LIVERPOOL ALL SEASONADTER BENJAMIN SAlESKO GOAL

Arne Slot hout out at VAR after Benjamin Sesko's goal against Liverpool was allowed to stand in Manchester United's 3-2 win over the Reds

Arne Slot was furious after Liverpool's defeat

Arne Slot launched into an impassioned rant criticising VAR interventions and a recurring failing of his Liverpool team after a frustrating loss at Manchester United.

The injury-hit Reds were beaten 3-2 in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon having overcome a dreadful first-half showing to level with Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo goals after the break before Kobbie Mainoo struck the winner 13 minutes from time.

United had scored twice inside the opening 14 minutes, first through a deflected Matheus Cunha strike and then a Benjamin Sesko close-range effort that was allowed after a lengthy VAR check despite replays indicating the striker handled the ball.

And while unimpressed at his team allowing Sesko to have the chance to score, a riled Slot pointed the finger at what he believes is the latest in a long line of questionable VAR calls against his team this season.

"If it was a touch, which I think it is because if you know a bit about ball sports, you know that if a ball has a certain curve and the curve changes, there must have been a contact," said the Reds boss.

"But if it's light then we should have a debate in football about whether that's enough to disallow a goal.

"But the rule is if there was a touch then it should have been disallowed.

"I don't think it's a surprise to anyone this season that if there's a VAR intervention or if there's something that could be left or could be right (50-50) then the decision goes against us.

"That has been the whole season every single time this season. I remember Paris Saint-Germain at home, getting a penalty for a soft touch on Mac Allister but of course the VAR intervenes and says no, no, no, this is not a penalty. Then one week later when I see Paris Saint-Germain play against Bayern Munich and get that same soft touch but the penalty stays.

"I saw last week my goalkeeper on the floor with an injury and the referee doesn't stop the game. I see a player of United off the pitch today and the referee stops the game when we try to play on. That has been our whole season."

Slot added: "But the second goal we didn't concede because of a handball, we conceded it because we lost the ball in a stupid position and we lost a few big moments afterwards in duels.

"We have to first look at ourselves, that is completely clear and obvious, but that decisions have gone every single game against us, that's also completely clear and obvious.

"When we played United the first time this season, I had one of my players needing five stitches on the floor, and the referee didn't stop the game and we conceded. This is a complete pattern over the whole season, but there is also a pattern that we concede ridiculous goals when we are the better team, one or two are switching off and then we concede a goal.

"That we have more influence on, so I should focus much more on that than on these referee decisions that go against us. It's clear that it's the whole season the same."

- Ian Doyle

ARNE SLOT | POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE | LIVERPOOL 3-1 CRYSTAL PALACE

 

ARNE SLOT AND MARCO SILVA POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE

MIKEL ARTETA VS. ARNE SLOT | HEAD-TO-HEAD

 

SLOT NEEDS TO DO MUCH MORE! FULHAM 2-2 LIVERPOOL | POST MATCH REACTION

 

ARNE SLOT | POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE | LIVERPOOL 2-1 WOLVES

 

WHY MOHAMED SALAH WAS LEFT OUT OF EGYPT SQUAD AHEAF OF AFCON AFTER ARNE SLOT ROW

Mohamed Salah was left out of Egypt's squad for the nation's friendly clash with Nigeria ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, as the Liverpool forward temporarily parts ways with Anfield following a bombshell Arne Slot statement

Mohamed Salah was left out of the Nigeria friendly(Image: Getty Images)

Everything you need to know as Mohamed Salah was left out of Egypt's squad against Nigeria ahead of AFCON...

Mohamed Salah makes bombshell Arne Slot claim: The Liverpool forward lambasted a lack of a relationship between himself and his manager after a 3-3 draw with Leeds United, in which he was left on the bench for. During an interview with reporters he claimed there was no relationship between the two, claiming he had been thrown under the bus by the club. Read the full story here.

• Slot forced into change for Brighton: Despite starting on the bench during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, Salah was deployed by Slot as a replacement for Joe Gomez in the first-half. The 33-year-old made an impact in the match, setting up Hugo Ekitike in the second period for his brace. Read the full story here.

• Salah links up with Egyptian national team for AFCON: Following the Brighton match, Salah made his way to Morocco to link up with his national team mates ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. FIFA required all Premier League clubs to allow players to leave their club for the tournament by Monday, December 15.

• Forward dropped from squad for friendly: After missing Monday's training session with Egypt, Salah was understandably not named in the nation's squad for a pre-AFCON friendly with Nigeria. However, when the tournament gets underway, it is expected that the star will feature heavily. Read the full story here.

• Egypt secure 2-1 win over Nigeria: Mahmoud Saber opened the scoring for the Pharaohs on Tuesday evening, before Zaidu Sanusi levelled the match on the turn of half-time. Mostafa Mohamed then put Egypt back in front moments after play had resumed to close out a 2-1 win.

• Egypt AFCON schedule: Egypt kickstart their AFCON endeavours with a clash with Zimbabwe come Monday, December 22, before taking on South Africa on Friday, December 26. They then turn their attention to Angola on Monday, December 29 in their final clash of the group stages.

• The games Salah is guaranteed to miss: As a result of AFCON, Salah will miss Liverpool's upcoming outings with Tottenham Hotspur (December 20), Wolverhampton Wanderers (December 27) and Leeds United (January 1). Dependent on how far Egypt progress in the tournament, he may also be absent from Fulham (January 4), Arsenal (January 8) and Burnley in the FA Cup (January 17). Read the full story here.

- Liverpool Echo

ARNE SLOT POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE | LIVERPOOL 2-0 BRIGHTON

WHAT VIRGIL VAN DIJK, ANDY ROBINSON AND ARNE SLOT SAID ABOUT MOHAMED SALAH 'APOLOGY' IN MILAN

Liverpool's manager, captain and vice-captain were all asked about the absent Salah after the Reds won 1-0 at the San Siro on Tuesday

Virgil van Dijk spoke about Mohamed Salah's situation(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah wasn't in Milan in person, but that didn't stop him being a topic of conversation after Liverpool pulled off an excellent 1-0 win over Inter Milan courtesy of a late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.

The Hungarian's spot kick - controversially awarded after a tug of Florian Wirtz's shirt - restored a feelgood factor to Liverpool after Salah's extraordinary outburst following Saturday's 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road which has placed his future at he club in serious doubt.

Broadcasters Amazon Prime Video were keen to get the views of Liverpool's captain, vice-captain and head coach following the victory, specifically around whether or not Salah had apologised to the club and his team-mates, and here's what all of them said:

Dominik Szoboszlai fired home the only goal(Image: Getty Images)

Ian Doyle

Mohamed Salah sees one Liverpool role filled already as Arne Slot gets message he was waiting for

Liverpool FC

Arne Slot guided Liverpool to a 1-0 win at Inter Milan(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Paul Gosrt

Arne Slot yet to answer £200m Liverpool question as Reds boss sends Ibrahima Konate message

 Liverpool FC

 "Obviously it's difficult but its a collective difficult situation we're all in. Obviously between Mo and the club things are going on and the consequences means he is not here today. That is the reality but nothing changes for our motivation to get results for the club."An apology? I don't think I am the one who has to speak about if someone has to apologise. It's him airing his feelings, and that is something the club has to deal with and me as well. Nothing has really changed, we've have our responsibility. So the focus was there. Nothing has changed and he trained as well by the way.""The reality is Mo is also going to Africa at the weekend, I have known Mo for such a long time, been through a lot, highs and lows, we're a big part of this at LFC, so we speak and those types of things will stay indoors as they should. And we as a team of players we raise ourselves and be against the outside noise and I encourage the players to listen."

Vice-captain Andy Robertson

"A tough situation obviously. We are talking about, for me, one of the greatest players to ever play for the club.

"Whatever happens happens internally now and we are all together and that's the main thing in the changing room and I think you can see that today.

"(Will it be resolved?) That will be up to other people, it's not up to me. I love playing with Mo Salah and hope to continue to play with him."

And head coach Arne Slot told the broadcaster, including pundit Clarence Seedorf who had asked about a potential apology from Salah:

"I think tonight it should be all about a team like this tonight, against a team like this who are winning and a stadium like this. The focus should be on that tonight. I can fully understand if I go into the press conference on Friday and all the questions are on Mo but I think these players deserve for it to be about them tonight."You say everyone makes mistakes in life but then it should be does the player think he has made a mistake as well? And then the next question is does this come from me or him?"

Slot was later asked about Salah again at his post match-press conference, and brought up Seedorf's words:

"I am happy that you asked that," he said. "Clarence said that in his opinion [Mo and I should speak] and I said that is his opinion and I didn’t say anything about who should make the first step or whatever.

"It was his opinion and I am happy I can clarify that so the headline tomorrow is not what I have said. It was [Seedorf's] opinion. Where I stand on that is that tonight it should be all about the players that are here.

"In the rich history of Liverpool, they have had many of these evenings, but after the season we are in, if you have an away win in this stadium against this team then it should be about the midfield or about Ibou (Konate) or the players who are here. They deserve all the credit.

"I can understand on Friday I will get a lot of questions about other things but tonight it is about the ones who are here."

- Paul Gorst & Mark Jones

MO SALAH'S TEAN-MATE TAKES BRUTAL SWIPE AT 'DISGRACE' JAMIE CARRAGHER

Jamie Carragher has found himself on the receiving end of a blast from Mohamed Salah's former Egypt team-mate Ahmed Elmohamady after his rant on Monday Night Football

Jamie Carragher made his feelings clear on Mohamed Salah on Monday night(Image: Sky Sports)

Jamie Carragher has been branded a “disgrace” following his lengthy attack on Mohamed Salah in the wake of his explosive interview. Salah has rocked the boat at Liverpool by going public with his grievances against Arne Slot after being benched for three straight games, with Carragher among his chief critics.

The Liverpool star claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by Slot, with whom he now had “no relationship”. His shocking comments in the wake of the 3-3 draw at Leeds, in which he didn’t get off the bench, have turned heads and prompted a backlash.

Slot left him out of the travelling squad to play Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night. And Carragher used his appearance on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football to continue his criticism of the club legend, calling him a “disgrace” among other things.

His opinion has angered Ahmed Elmohamady, who has played alongside Salah for Egypt. The former Hull City and Aston Villa defender wrote on X: “Right Jamie you’re a disgrace. Salah completely rewrote his story through hard work, humility, and world-class performances.

“He didn’t ‘fail’ at Chelsea – he was never given the chance. He went to Italy, rebuilt himself, then came to Liverpool and became: A Premier League legend, Egypt’s greatest ever player, One of the most consistent forwards of his generation.

“Salah has carried Egypt for years. And getting Egypt qualified for the World Cup twice after so long, Salah earned everything. No wonder you got blanked by C.Ronaldo. No wonder Messi called you out. No wonder Mourinho said you were below average and not even in the top 1000 defender in PL.”

His comments came after an eight-minute clip of Carragher talking about Salah on MNF went viral on Monday night. "I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game," Carragher began. "Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst, I don't think it was.

"I think whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he's done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it's choreographed, with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position.”

He added: "He's chosen this weekend to do this now and he's waited, I think, for a bad result for Liverpool... Everyone involved with the club feels like they're in the gutter at the moment, and he's chosen that time to go for the manager, and maybe try and get him sacked. That's the way I felt about it.

"The one line that stands out for me is 'thrown under the bus'. He's tried to throw the club under the bus twice in the last 12 months with the situations that I've just mentioned."

- Felix Keith

ARNE SLOT HAS ‘NO CLUE’ IF MOHAMED SALAH WILL PLAY FOR LIVERPOOL AGAIN

• Head coach also insisted he is not ‘weak’ amid row

• Egyptian left out of squad for game at Inter

Mohamed Salah with Hugo Ekitiké (right) and Florian Wirtz during training but the Egyptian was left at home for the trip to play Inter. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters

Arne Slot has cast further doubt on Mohamed Salah’s future at ­Liverpool by admitting that he has “no clue” whether the forward has played his last game for the club. The head coach also insisted his politeness should not be mistaken for weakness after leaving Salah out of the Champions League game against Inter on Tuesday.

Slot gave his first public ­reaction on Monday to Salah’s incendiary interview at Leeds when ­previewing ­Liverpool’s match at San Siro. He denied Salah’s claims that their relationship had broken down and said only the Egypt international knows who supposedly threw him under a bus and wants him out of the club.

Salah trained on Monday for the second day in succession before Slot told him directly that he would not be travelling to Italy for the Champions League game. The decision to remove the 33-year-old from selection for a short period was taken by the Liverpool hierarchy in conjunction with Slot, and with the full support of the Dutch coach. Salah could also miss the home game against Brighton on Saturday. He is due to report for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt on Monday and could be away from Liverpool until mid-January, when Saudi Arabian interest in the forward is likely to be rekindled.

Asked whether there is a way back for Salah at Liverpool, who have the player under contract until the summer of 2027, Slot replied: “I am a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player. But that is not … I can leave it with that I think.”

The head coach, however, was pressed again on the possibility that the third highest goalscorer in Liver­pool’s history may have played his last game for the club. “I have no clue,” Slot replied. “I cannot answer that question at this point in time.”

Slot said that he was taken aback by Salah’s comment that their once‑healthy relationship has broken down, having been benched for three consecutive games for the first time in his Liverpool career. “That is not the way I feel, but he has the right to feel how he feels things,” Slot said.

Arne Slot said he was baffled by the claim that he had no relationship with Mohamed Salah. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

“I haven’t felt that at all until Satur­day evening for sure. When I don’t play someone usually players don’t like the manager that much but he was really respectful to the staff and manager, his teammates and he trained very hard so it was a surprise to me when I heard the comments he gave. But it is not the first or last time a player who doesn’t play says something similar to what he did. But my reaction to that is clear and that’s why he is not here tonight.”

Slot said it was difficult to know who Salah was referring to when he claimed someone at Liverpool had thrown him under a bus. But he admitted having only a brief exchange with the player since Saturday – when informing him of the decision to leave him behind on Merseyside – and insisted the club’s reaction demonstrated his authority.

“Usually I’m calm, I’m polite,” Slot said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m weak so if a player has these comments about so many things then it’s up to me and the club to react. We reacted in a way you can see – he’s not here.”

Liverpool would have been low on numbers against Inter even if Salah had been included on the trip. Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo are absent through illness and injury – Chiesa could fly out on the day of the game should he recover from illness, while Gakpo is out for a few weeks having picked up an injury against Leeds – leaving Slot with a squad of 19 players that includes three goalkeepers and three teenagers.

The first-choice keeper Alisson also addressed the media on Monday and said he hoped Salah would play for Liverpool again. “I don’t think anything but I hope he plays again for the club,” he said.

“That’s a personal situation between Mo and the club. We as his teammates and his friends, we hope the best thing ­happens for him, but as Liverpool players we want the best for the club as well. We want a win-win situation for everyone.”

Alisson also insisted the remainder of the squad were firmly behind Slot following a miserable run of results and performances. The Brazil international said: “Before Arne came in everyone talks about the huge challenge being a substitute for Jürgen Klopp. Now it looks like everyone takes for granted what we achieved last season. It should not be taken for granted. That should be enough but we believe in his knowledge. We believe in his style of play and that he is capable of helping us to turn around this situation. I believe this is not only about ourselves [the players being behind Slot] but that’s the situation with the club as well.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher spoke out strongly against Salah on Monday night on Sky Sports. Among a series of criticisms, the former Liverpool player said: “He’s chosen this weekend to do this, and he’s waited I think to choose a bad result for Liverpool. Supporters, the manager, everyone at the club feels like they’re in the gutter and he’s chosen that time to go for the manager and maybe get him sacked.

“I’d remind Salah and his agent that before he came to Liverpool he was known as the man who failed at Chelsea. He’d never won a major trophy before he came to Liverpool.”

- Andy Hunter in Milan

CRITICS SLAM ARNE SLOT ONLINE

 

MOHAMED SALAH ADMITS NOT GETTING ALONG WITH ARNE SLOT | HE IS "NOT WANTED" AT LIVERPOOL

 

ARNE SLOT AFTER A NARROW WIN OVER WEST HAM UNITED

 

ARNE SLOT POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE VS. WEST HAM

 

ARNE SLOT ON LIVERPOOL'S RECENT FORM