Glasner amongst candidates as scrutiny grows on Klopp successor Slot at Liverpool
Liverpool’s current victory over West Ham United might have eased some stress round Arne Slot, however uncertainty nonetheless hangs over the supervisor appointed to construct on the period formed by Jurgen Klopp. The two-0 win lifted spirits however did little to disguise a troublesome stretch of outcomes that has left the champions able few anticipated at this stage of the marketing campaign.
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Regardless of lifting the Premier League title final season, Liverpool now sit eighth after 13 matchweeks, accumulating simply 21 factors. With six defeats of their final eight league fixtures and 9 losses throughout their earlier 13 in all competitions, exterior noise has grown louder. The questions are now not about type alone, however about whether or not Slot can steer this squad again in direction of the requirements set earlier than his arrival.
A trio of Premier League coaches – Oliver Glasner, Unai Emery and Andoni Iraola – have emerged in current days as potential future choices ought to Liverpool’s hierarchy really feel compelled to behave.
Glasner impresses however faces stylistic doubts
Glasner’s work at Crystal Palace continues to earn widespread respect, with an FA Cup triumph final season and a robust begin to their Convention League marketing campaign offering clear proof of progress. Palace’s defensive file is among the many greatest within the division, with solely Arsenal shedding fewer video games and no facet exterior north London conceding fewer targets.
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Nevertheless, the Austrian’s strategy raises reputable questions on how nicely he would adapt at a membership that expects to dominate the ball. Palace function with one of many lowest possession figures within the Premier League, thriving in transitional moments and embracing the underdog function that Liverpool hardly ever occupy. Whereas he’s broadly thought to be a pointy tactician with a profitable monitor file at each Palace and Eintracht Frankfurt, the leap to a facet tasked with controlling matches each week represents a considerable shift.
Furthermore, Glasner has repeatedly said that his back-three system stems from tailoring his setup to the strengths of Palace’s squad – a element that leaves uncertainty over whether or not he would, or may, implement one thing totally completely different at Anfield.
Iraola’s vitality attracts curiosity however raises related questions
Iraola’s Bournemouth have additionally earned admirers for his or her high-intensity strategy. They press aggressively, search vertical alternatives early and customarily insist on a frenetic tempo that unsettles opponents. His attacking ideas are sometimes seen as extra diverse than these of Glasner, with better emphasis on fluidity and mixtures in transition.
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Nonetheless, the identical tactical difficulty emerges: Liverpool hardly ever play in open contests the place house is well accessed. Bournemouth’s strongest performances have sometimes are available in video games the place they see little of the ball, inviting strain earlier than breaking ahead. Translating that blueprint to a possession-heavy atmosphere at Anfield would require substantial adaptation. Whereas Iraola’s touchlines are marked by ambition and dynamism, it stays unclear whether or not his methodology would ship constant management at a membership of Liverpool’s stature.
Emery’s pedigree appeals however doubts linger over match
Emery’s title being linked to Liverpool raised eyebrows, but his achievements at Aston Villa can’t be dismissed. Since taking up a facet battling on the incorrect finish of the desk in 2022-23, he guided Villa into Europe, then into the Champions League and maintained aggressive type throughout a number of competitions.
His trophy file, notably within the Europa League, is among the many greatest in fashionable European soccer. But stylistic considerations and his earlier difficulties at Arsenal mood expectations. Emery’s sides thrive in reactive eventualities, organising themselves beautifully with out the ball and placing when alternatives come up. As with Glasner and Iraola, the query shouldn’t be about high quality, however about compatibility – Liverpool’s identification, formed for years underneath Klopp, is constructed on assertiveness, management and territorial dominance.
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Exterior contenders emerge as long-term concerns
Liverpool’s board usually are not believed to be making ready an imminent change, however accountable planning requires consciousness of potential successors. Figures resembling Julian Nagelsmann and Cesc Fabregas have been quietly mentioned inside wider tactical circles. Nagelsmann’s adaptability and front-foot philosophy naturally appeal to curiosity, whereas Fabregas has impressed together with his early work at Como, incomes reward for an expansive strategy that aligns with what Liverpool supporters count on.
Slot, nonetheless, stays intent on steadying the ship. After delivering the title in his debut marketing campaign, he retains the assumption of key figures, however the winter schedule looms giant. His fast problem is to construct on the West Ham efficiency and keep away from damaging setbacks, beginning with the midweek assembly in opposition to Sunderland. Stability will depend upon outcomes, and the approaching weeks might outline whether or not Liverpool keep dedicated to the mission – or are compelled to discover alternate options extra significantly.