Liverpool ownership Fenway Sports Group is conducting an urgent review of Arne Slot’s position following a collapse in form that has seen the Premier League champions fall to nearly 20 defeats this season. Despite initial plans to retain the 47-year-old Dutchman for the 2026/27 campaign, a 4-2 loss to Aston Villa on May 15 has prompted a significant shift in stance, with PSG head coach Luis Enrique emerging as the bookmakers' favourite to take over at Anfield. The rethink follows public criticism from Mohamed Salah regarding the squad's tactical identity, coinciding with Xabi Alonso — a long-term target for the role — reaching an agreement to join Chelsea.
FSG reconsider Slot following dressing room friction
The internal pressure on Slot intensified after a social media post from Mohamed Salah, 33, criticised the team's lack of a "heavy metal attacking" identity. According to reports from Football365, FSG is deeply concerned by the public nature of these comments, which received support from several first-team players. Slot admitted to WalesOnline that supporters currently "don't have a lot of confidence" in his project. This shift in sentiment is a sharp departure from May 12, when sources including David Ornstein reported that the club fully intended to stick with Slot. However, the Villa defeat and the subsequent threat to Champions League qualification have forced a move toward contingency planning.
Luis Enrique and the tactical pivot at Anfield
Luis Enrique, 56, is viewed as the primary candidate to restore the high-intensity style demand by the senior squad and fanbase. While PSG sporting director Luis Campos previously dismissed exit rumours as "fake news" in early 2026, the Spaniard’s record of winning nine trophies at Barcelona and a Ligue 1 title provides the pedigree FSG requires. Liverpool face a complex transition period; with Salah and Andy Robertson entering the final stages of their careers and no longer safe bets to stay, the club needs a manager capable of overseeing a rebuild. Enrique’s tactical flexibility offers a contrast to Slot’s more rigid structure, which has struggled to replicate the success of the 2024/25 title-winning season. If a move for the PSG coach fails, Andoni Iraola and Julian Nagelsmann are understood to be the alternative options under consideration.
Liverpool must now decide whether to formalise their interest in Enrique before the summer window opens to avoid further drift during a critical recruitment phase.