Liverpool face a defining summer as senior goalkeeper Alisson Becker, 33, has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to join Juventus, while the future of manager Arne Slot remains the subject of conflicting reports following a sharp decline in form. According to TeamTalk, the Liverpool board has already decided to dismiss Slot after a 2025/26 campaign that saw the club lose 20 matches across all competitions, though James Pearce of The Athletic countered that the Dutchman still retains the club’s backing. Amidst this uncertainty, outgoing Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola is understood to be the primary candidate for the Anfield role should the position become vacant following the final league match against Brentford.
Conflicting reports over Slot’s future and Iraola links
The pressure on Slot intensified following a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa, a result that exemplified a season defined by defensive instability. While early reports on May 21 suggested a board-level decision to terminate Slot’s contract, James Pearce reported that "Liverpool's position on Arne Slot remains unchanged," suggesting the 47-year-old could still lead the club into the next season. However, the availability of Andoni Iraola, who has confirmed his departure from Bournemouth, has provided a clear alternative. Speaking on the Mirror's football coverage, former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant criticised the current management, stating that if the board intends to keep Slot, "something's wrong," citing "shocking" statistical performance. Slot previously led Liverpool to the 2024/25 Premier League title, but his second year has seen the club break internal records for goals conceded in the modern era.
Squad exodus looms as Alisson agrees personal terms
The potential departure of Alisson for a reported £25m package would signal the end of a core leadership group at Melwood. With Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson already confirmed to be leaving on free transfers, the loss of the Brazilian international would leave Liverpool without three of their most experienced figures simultaneously. Alisson’s move to Turin is understood to be in the final stages of a verbal agreement, despite Juventus’s own uncertainty regarding Champions League qualification. This squad churn comes at a sensitive time for the club’s recruitment department, as they balance a need for defensive reinforcements with the high costs of replacing several high-wage earners. If Alisson departs after the Brentford fixture, Liverpool must navigate the market for a new starting goalkeeper while also addressing a backline that has regressed significantly since their title-winning campaign eighteen months ago.
The Liverpool board is expected to clarify Slot’s status in the days following the season finale, as the club prepares for its most significant squad transition in a decade.