FSG could hire ‘world’s best manager’ at Liverpool

Manager Arne Slott admitted in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference that the financial impact would be significant if Liverpool miss out on the Champions League.

This is hardly a revelation, but it is nonetheless a stark illustration of the Anfield side’s current predicament. The champions have won just six of their last 20 Premier League games, but they can’t keep going like this, can they?

can. Liverpool have not shown they are capable of overcoming this slump and returning to a state of fluency capable of winning titles or even qualifying for the Champions League. In fact, this slump continued for some time, with much of 2025 resulting in lower results than the Reds expected.

However, FSG remains adamantly behind Liverpool’s head coach. Slott is under incredible pressure, but his job is not currently under threat. It may sound contradictory, but the owners are simply not ready to abandon carefully chosen appointments that still have some credibility after leading the Reds to the league title last year.

However, that credibility is rapidly dwindling and Xabi Alonso is currently suffering a spell of unemployment.

Latest updates on Liverpool’s interest in Xabi Alonso

Alonso has been a free agent since parting ways with Real Madrid in early January, and his short spell in the Spanish capital lacked the clarity and conviction that brought him fortune in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen.

Still, Alonso remains one of the most talented and intelligent young coaches in the game, and given that Liverpool were considering him to replace Jurgen Klopp before taking up the Feyenoord slot, it would be no surprise to see rumors emerge about a possible move to the Anfield dugout.

However, many outfits among them are starting to be linked with the 44-year-old Tottenham.

Liverpool would be wise to have a back-up, especially if Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are determined to keep the man in the dugout for now.

However, if he is to be cornered, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique is high on FSG’s shortlist, with reports suggesting the Spanish manager has emerged as Liverpool’s top target for the end of 2025.

The 55-year-old’s current contract runs until the end of next season, and there has been a lot of talk in the Spanish capital about his future.

Manchester United have a vested interest and given the dramatic change in trajectory, Liverpool will want to move quickly to ensure a win.

Why Luis Enrique is perfect for Liverpool

In 2013, Enrique said, “I want to coach England someday.”

He speaks the language fluently, won countless trophies with Barcelona and PSG and was the driving force behind the historic quintuplet in 2025.

Enrique has been unemployed since leaving Spain and arrived in Paris in 2023. Despite rejecting Man United and interest in Man United recently emerging, Liverpool must realize that the Cards represent a rare chance to move to one of Europe’s elite during his playing days, especially as French sources are adamant that he will eventually sign a new contract at the Parc des Princes.

A shrewd tactician who operates with slightly looser parameters than a player like Alonso, Enrique still has value, clearly outperforming all his rivals last season and deftly turning PSG into a force to be reckoned with.

Enrique’s side are usually stylish and purposeful on the ball. While they dominate possession, they maintain pressure on the defense and retain possession rather than just flowing out.

This has been a problem for Liverpool this season, with Slott’s ball-focused system failing to bring creative benefits.

Alonso could be a game-changer, especially given his success in the Bundesliga with Florian Wirths as chief playmaker, but the former Kop hero’s struggles at Real Madrid illustrate the dangers of bringing him to Anfield, one of the most high-profile jobs in world football.

Of course, Enrique was there and did it. With two European trebles under his belt and a reputation as the “best manager in the world”, according to renowned journalist Julian Lawrence (at least he’s in that ballpark).

It’s also worth considering the forward’s success in developing Ousmane Dembele into one of the world’s best forwards, winning him the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or gold medal.

Given the plight of strikers such as Alexander Isak, the British record signing from Newcastle United last summer, and given that Hugo Ekitike’s individual brilliance has been unmatched in terms of the success and sharpness of Liverpool’s overall attack this season, it is easy to understand why FSG are keen on Enrique.

And while Alonso already knows about Wirtz, that doesn’t mean Enrique doesn’t know how to get the most out of the tricky German playmaker.

After all, Alonso took a risk by moving to Real Madrid at the beginning of his young coaching career. He will go on to achieve great things and perhaps one day lead Liverpool to great heights.

However, Liverpool spent £450m last summer and given the disastrous nature of their ongoing campaign, they cannot afford to fail again.

They need immediate results that change their fortunes, and there is no better person than Enrique to get the club out of its rut. Enrique has led several clubs to the highest level of glory with his qualities as a manager. Liverpool could be next.