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Despite a clamour from supporters to see him sacked this summer, there have been further indications that Liverpool are unwilling to part ways with Arne Slot.
The Dutchman has become hugely unpopular amongst the Reds fanbase after leading them to a dreadful season, but as explained in a new report from The Telegraph, he is unlikely to be given the boot.
Instead, FSG are reportedly keen to head into Slot‘s final contracted year and see how things go. While this is a gamble with Xabi Alonso unlikely to be available in 2027, perhaps there is method to the madness, with the Liverpool owners instead waiting on Luis Enrique, whose own contract ends next year too.
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Liverpool have seemingly been quick to play down links to Alonso ever since the Spaniard became available in January.
There is obviously a chance that this is simply bluster in the press, and there would be little point in them confirming interest in Alonso while Slot is still in situ. The party line will be that the current boss is being backed until he isn’t.
This could mean that Alonso still arrives in a move which would delight many Liverpool fans, but the strength of Thursday’s report from the Telegraph, which claims that FSG want Slot to be in charge next year, would suggest that those desperate for an immediate change are going to be disappointed.
Instead, Liverpool could have their eye on Enrique, who is yet to extend his contract in Paris beyond 2027.
Photo by Stuart Franklin – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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Despite reports that the PSG boss is likely to put pen to paper on a new deal, that has yet to happen, and if there is any inkling that he could be available, then Liverpool would be wise to hold fire on Slot.
FSG would clearly prefer to see things work under the current head coach, but if they can get as close to the end of his contract as possible, and then hire Enrique, that would arguably be the best case scenario.
‘Underrated’ Enrique would thrive at Liverpool
As he showed once again on Wednesday, Enrique is a manager who knows how to set up a football team, and then some.
Granted, the set-up is different at PSG than it would be for him at Liverpool, but his team plays the exact style of fluid, fast football which Reds fans absolutely love to see.
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Having spent four years in Paris by the end of his current deal, and already dominated in La Liga and managed in Italy, it is reasonable to believe that Enrique would fancy a crack at the Premier League.
Where better to do that than at Liverpool, a club whose atmosphere The Times claim he once tested as a supporter in disguise just to see how it felt to be amongst the crowd.
As Joe Cole said during PSG’s run to be crowned European champions last season, Enrique has perhaps been an ‘underrated’ coach at times, but with the French side purring over the last 18 months, his reputation has soared again.
We can understand the appeal of supporters who want an instant change at Anfield, and Alonso would have to be the choice if that happened, but if Liverpool think they can get Enrique, then there is no harm in keeping Slot at the helm for a little longer. There could be a plan forming here.
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