Liverpool could hire “best young coach in Europe”

Liverpool have been plagued by a number of fundamental problems this season which have sent Arne Slot’s system into a spin.

Fifth in the Premier League, Liverpool’s hopes of reaching Europe’s top competition are on a knife’s edge as the business end of the campaign approaches. They are still in the FA Cup and the Champions League, but that could change soon, with the quarter-final between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (not hopeless).

Liverpool are at a low point, but Slot would argue that there are a number of mitigating factors that have taken him from his peak.

The fact that Liverpool have missed 102 big chances this season, for example, is unbelievable, and the head coach is no doubt feeling frustrated by the dullness affecting his system. Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah have been the main culprits there.

But that is a narrow way of looking at the deeper problem. Intellectually unbalanced, lacking in confidence and unable to do the basics, Liverpool are in real trouble, and a not-too-distant future when Slot takes over elsewhere is out of the question.

The latest on Slot’s Liverpool future

FSG stand outside Slot and insist they are preparing for the summer transfer window with the Dutchman in charge, but if Liverpool fail to turn their season around in the next two months, it is difficult to see a future where he keeps his job.

Rumors are rife as to who will replace him. Xabi Alonso is front-runner after parting ways with Real Madrid this winter, but sporting director Richard Hughes may be inclined to tip his barrel in the other direction.

After all, there has been interest in German manager Julian Nagelsmann, and with the 38-year-old under contract with the national team until 2028, a combined approach from the Merseysiders could tempt him into a career change.

Nagelsmann, formerly of RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, is regarded as one of the best coaches in the world despite being so young, and with Nagelsmann reportedly among the managers “arranged for talks” after Klopp announced he would leave Liverpool in 2024, it would not be out of the question to see interest renewed.

Why Nagelsmann would be the perfect Slot replacement

Nagelsmann may be young, but he’s not without experience, having already earned his stripes in his early 20s and continuing to showcase one of the world’s greatest tactical minds. Nagelsmann was described as “the best young coach in Europe” by reporter Josh Bunting.

Slot is no Klopp – of course, the German manager is one of a kind, and Nagelsmann would not return the same love for his country at Anfield.

But Nagelsmann is something a gegenpressing actor, and could help guide Liverpool back to a more full-on football approach, a strategy that could help combat the struggles of coping with the Premier League’s new direct focus.

Journalist Kai Iliev has even praised him as a “world-class manager”, and since he uses a 4-2-3-1 formation, the German will help with a sense of continuity despite the inevitable change period, while Alonso may want to sink and release a much changed system, three defenders at the back.

No one can replace Klopp at Liverpool, and in that sense, FSG hit the jackpot when they appointed Slot, a completely different type of leader who showed they earned their money last year, marching towards the Premier League title.

Alonso is the pick, but FSG has made a habit of going off the beaten track when making big decisions. If Slot’s day is indeed done as Liverpool head coach, Nagelsmann’s hunger and passion and tactical vision could make him the perfect fit.

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