Liverpool information: Arne Slot sack newest as Andoni Iraola ‘eyed by membership’ and ‘determination made’
Liverpool are on the verge of securing Champions League qualification but face a turbulent summer, with Arne Slot’s future in doubt as Andoni Iraola is reportedly being pursued by the club
Andoni Iraola is leaving Bournemouth and has been linked to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool are on the brink of securing Champions League qualification in their final fixture of a hugely disappointing season with manager Arne Slot’s future in doubt.
Steering clear of defeat against Brentford at Anfield on Sunday will be sufficient for the under pressure Dutchman’s team to seal fifth spot. Even should the Reds lose against the Bees, Bournemouth would need to overturn a six-goal deficit against Nottingham Forest. But the fact last year’s Premier League Champions are even in this predicament says it all about their woeful campaign in which they have lost 20 times in all competitions.
There will be major upheaval this summer when club legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leave the club after nine years. And there is speculation that Slot could follow them out of the door, with Andoni Iraola potentially arriving. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
Contradictory Iraola speculation
Previous reports indicated Arne Slot was expected to remain in his position at Liverpool next season despite the campaign’s letdown.
Yet, fresh assertions from Foot Mercato suggest the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are possibly considering a reversal regarding the Dutchman’s future.
Reports suggest that Xabi Alonso was once viewed as a potential successor to Slot, but the former Liverpool midfielder has since moved to Chelsea.
French media outlets allege that Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, is eyeing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, who is due to depart the Cherries at season’s end.
The Spaniard has guided Bournemouth to sixth place in the Premier League, with the club currently enjoying an impressive 17-match unbeaten run – the longest streak of any team in the top-flight this season.
The 43-year-old will undoubtedly attract interest from numerous clubs this summer, but Liverpool may hold an edge in the competition.
Hughes was the man who brought Iraola to Bournemouth three years ago during his tenure as sporting director at the south coast club, suggesting a reunion could be on the horizon.
However, the Athletic maintains that the club’s stance on Slot remains unchanged and they have decided to stick with the Premier League winner.
Andy Robertson admission
Legendary Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson shared his thoughts on what led to Liverpool’s dramatic decline this season during a conversation with Ian Wright on The Overlap, reports the Mirror.
The 32-year-old, one of the greatest fullbacks in Premier League history, touched on the heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota and confessed that mourning their colleague during their Premier League title defence was “tough”.
He confided in the Arsenal legend: “What happened in the summer with Diogo Jota… nobody could have prepared us for that. The first time I saw my teammates again after the trophy parade was on the way to one of our mate’s funeral.
“And I don’t want to use this as an excuse, but we cannot hide away from this. It’s been tough, and we can’t hide away from this. Diogo Jota was one of our best mates.” Robertson also pointed to the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid as a factor behind the Reds’ on-field difficulties.
He added: “I think obviously we’ve missed him as a player, there’s no doubt about that. We’ve missed him as a character as well. But he’s went on to try something new and sometimes you just have to take your hat off to that.”
