Liverpool manager Arne Slot is facing the toughest period of his young Premier League career as pressure rises sharply at Anfield. A humiliating 3–0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest has intensified fears about the club’s direction and sparked renewed debate about whether the Dutchman remains the right man for the job. And among the names being mentioned as his possible successor, one has stunned the football world: former Liverpool icon Jürgen Klopp.

Slot’s first season with the Reds delivered the ultimate prize — a Premier League title — and allowed the club and supporters to believe that the post-Klopp era could still remain glorious. Yet the start of the 2025–26 campaign has been nothing short of disastrous. Liverpool’s heavy spending in the summer transfer market — more than £450 million invested in rebuilding the squad — has failed to translate into success on the pitch.

The loss to Forest marked Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven matches across all competitions, a run that would be considered shocking for mid-table teams — let alone a Premier League champion. Just before the November international break, Manchester City also handed them a brutal 3–0 defeat, raising deeper questions about Liverpool’s competitiveness.

Critics and analysts are beginning to openly challenge Slot’s tactical approach, player selections, and adaptation to the Premier League’s pressure environment. What once appeared a promising long-term project now looks like a derailing one.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown described the situation as alarming:

“Everything is sliding for Arne Slot. This was Klopp’s team he inherited. He wanted to put his own stamp on it — but after spending £450 million, they have gone backwards.”

Keown emphasized the strangeness of Liverpool’s decline:

“You don’t expect a club this big to lose six out of seven. It’s unthinkable for a team fighting for titles. But still, I don’t believe a manager who wins the league can be sacked the very next season. The situation is extraordinary.”

Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool midfielder and Sky Sports pundit, echoed the sentiment. He admitted that while he expected Liverpool to decline once Klopp left, he was surprised by how quickly they unraveled this season.

“People are panicking now. They want big changes. But I think Liverpool need calm heads right now. They’ve had a tough preseason and that’s showing.”

As results worsen, Jürgen Klopp’s name continues to surface — and louder each day. The German coach remains a beloved figure among supporters after restoring Liverpool as a European and domestic powerhouse during his tenure. His legacy still defines the club’s identity. To many fans, Klopp remains Liverpool.

What once seemed impossible — Klopp’s return — is now openly discussed.

Sky pundits, online communities, and even club insiders believe he would be the number-one candidate if the board decides to part ways with Slot. And Klopp himself has recently added fuel to the speculation.

During an interview on the podcast Diary of a CEO in October, Klopp was asked whether he would rule out a return to Liverpool:

“I said I would never coach another English club except Liverpool. So if I came back to England one day, it would be Liverpool. Theoretically — absolutely possible.”

He continued with ambiguity:

“Right now, I love my work. I don’t miss coaching the way I thought I might. I’m not ready to decide now. I’m 58 — old to some, young to others. Maybe a few years from now, I’ll feel differently.”

Klopp currently serves as Global Director of Football for the Red Bull network and is also consulting with the German Bundesliga’s governing body — roles that allow him to remain close to football without daily coaching stress.

And despite Liverpool’s struggles, he has defended Slot:

“He is a great person. He has made the team play brilliantly at times. He achieved the unbelievable last season.”

Though Klopp remains the dream scenario for many, other names have emerged on the radar:
• Oliver Glasner — the Crystal Palace manager who has gained praise for tactical innovation
• Andoni Iraola — Bournemouth’s head coach, known for fearless attacking play
• Unai Emery — Aston Villa boss, recognized for European football success
• Julian Nagelsmann — Germany’s national team manager with a strong tactical reputation

But as of now, no reliable sources suggest Liverpool’s board is preparing an immediate managerial change.

Liverpool are already eight points behind the league leaders, a gap that would have been unimaginable a year ago. Fans who celebrated a Premier League title only months earlier now watch a team struggling for identity and belief.

With crucial fixtures ahead and Champions League qualification at risk, Slot must produce results quickly — or speculation about Klopp and other candidates will intensify further.

The biggest question remains:
How long can Liverpool afford patience — and how long will Slot withstand the storm?

Although the club has traditionally avoided panic decisions, history shows that even champions are not guaranteed time when performances collapse so dramatically.

For now, Klopp’s potential return remains only a whisper — but one that is rapidly growing louder inside Anfield’s walls.