Football
Next Liverpool Manager Odds: Arne Slot Under Pressure as former manager set to return?
Despite delivering a Premier League title in his debut season, Liverpool boss Arne Slot is now under mounting pressure following a sharp decline in form, writes Dave James.
Liverpool’s struggles deepened on Wednesday night as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup, suffering their sixth defeat in seven matches with a 3-0 home loss to Crystal Palace.
Ismaila Sarr struck twice in the first half for the visitors, before Yeremy Pino added a late third to compound a miserable evening for Reds fans at Anfield. Slot’s side finished the match with ten men after 18-year-old Amara Nallo was sent off just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The Liverpool boss made ten changes from the side that lost 3-2 to Brentford at the weekend, fielding a youthful and inexperienced line up that failed to cope with Palace’s energy and organisation.
The slump has sparked fresh speculation about his future, and according to the latest odds from the bookies, former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is the frontrunner to make a dramatic return to Anfield.
Klopp is currently priced at 3/1 to take charge of Liverpool once again, leading a long list of potential successors that includes Andoni Iraola at 5/1 and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner at 11/2.
Dave James from Whataretheodds.co.uk commented on the growing speculation, saying:
“The fact that Jurgen Klopp tops the next Liverpool manager market tells you everything about how much his legacy still resonates with fans and the hierarchy alike. His bond with Anfield was special, and there’s a genuine feeling that he could return one day if the circumstances were right.”
| Manager | Odds | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|
| Jurgen Klopp | 3/1 | 25% |
| Andoni Iraola | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Oliver Glasner | 11/2 | 15.4% |
| Steven Gerrard | 8/1 | 11.1% |
| Xavi | 9/1 | 10% |
| Pep Lijnders | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Unai Emery | 12/1 | 7.7% |
| Julian Nagelsmann | 14/1 | 6.7% |
| Xabi Alonso | 16/1 | 5.9% |
| Roberto De Zerbi | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Klopp recently hinted in an interview that he would not rule out a return to Liverpool, adding further fuel to the speculation.
The German spent nine years at the club, delivering both the Premier League and Champions League titles before stepping down earlier this year.
Behind him in the betting, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has caught the eye after an impressive transformation on the south coast.
Priced at 5/1, the Spaniard has taken the Cherries from relegation candidates to European hopefuls. His high energy, pressing football fits neatly with Liverpool’s traditional identity, something that could appeal to the club’s owners.
Dave James added:
“Iraola’s stock is rising fast. What he’s done at Bournemouth has been remarkable, and his tactical philosophy mirrors what Liverpool fans have come to love. If the Reds are looking for continuity in terms of footballing DNA, Iraola would be a serious contender.”
The third favourite is Oliver Glasner at 11/2, who led Crystal Palace to a historic FA Cup win last season.
The Austrian has built a reputation for attacking football and strong player development, having previously guided Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory.
According to dave, Glasner’s success has not gone unnoticed:
“Glasner has proven he can deliver silverware and style. His FA Cup triumph with Palace was extraordinary, and he’s shown he can compete with the best. If Liverpool are looking for a manager with a winning mentality and modern approach, Glasner fits the bill.”
With Klopp, Iraola, and Glasner leading the early betting, Liverpool’s managerial market is already one of the most closely watched in English football.
While Arne Slot remains in the job, pressure is mounting at Anfield, and as the odds suggest, a managerial shake-up may be closer than many expected.
Nottingham Forest are searching for a new head coach after parting company with Sean Dyche.
Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers proved to be Dyche’s final match in charge, bringing an end to a brief spell that began in October following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou.
Forest sit 17th in the Premier League table, just three points above the relegation zone, and are now preparing to appoint their fourth manager of the season.
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Here are some of the leading contenders.
Vitor Pereira
The former Wolves boss is expected to feature prominently in the betting. Pereira left Molineux in November 2025 with the club at the foot of the table, yet his broader CV remains strong.
He has won league titles in Portugal and China and guided Olympiacos to the Greek Super League crown. That success in Greece could appeal to Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Kieran McKenna
McKenna has been linked with several top-flight roles since leading Ipswich Town to promotion in 2023/24.
Known for encouraging a high-tempo style, he has also shown flexibility in adapting his approach to different opponents. Whether he would leave Ipswich while they remain in the promotion mix is uncertain, but Forest may view him as a long-term appointment.
Marco Silva
Silva’s contract at Fulham is due to expire at the end of the season and there has been little indication he will extend his stay at Craven Cottage.
The Portuguese coach has delivered stability, guiding Fulham to three straight mid-table finishes after promotion in 2021/22. Forest were previously linked with him following Postecoglou’s exit and could revisit that interest.
Enzo Maresca
Marinakis has shown ambition since acquiring Forest in 2017 and could turn to former Chelsea manager Maresca.
Although dismissed, Maresca oversaw a fourth-place Premier League finish and UEFA Conference League success in 2024/25. The Italian may seek a project offering backing and time, which Forest would need to guarantee if they retain top-flight status.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Solskjær has been out of work since departing Beşiktaş J.K. earlier this season. He had also been linked with a return to in a temporary capacity before Michael Carrick was appointed.
During his time at Old Trafford, Solskjær favoured a direct, counter-attacking style that could suit Forest’s current squad. His experience in the Premier League may appeal as the club look to steer clear of the drop.
There is just one Premier League fixture on Thursday night to conclude the midweek programme, with leaders Arsenal heading across the capital to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The visitors sit top of the Premier League table, but the pressure remains firmly on as the title race tightens. Mikel Arteta’s side know any slip-up could prove costly at this stage of the campaign.
Brentford have emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages under Keith Andrews. The Bees are firmly in contention for a Champions League place and will see this clash as an opportunity to strengthen their position in the European race.
Successive away wins at Aston Villa and Newcastle have kept their European hopes alive and confidence is high in west London.
Bet Builder Predictions
Draw
Igor Thiago to commit 2+ fouls
Noni Madueke to score or assist
A Bet Builder featuring those selections is priced at approximately 15/1 with Bet365
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Despite their strong overall campaign, Brentford’s record in home London derbies is less convincing. The Bees have won just one of their last 11 such matches in the Premier League, drawing six and losing four.
They are winless in seven home London derbies since a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in August 2024.
Brentford famously beat Arsenal in their first ever Premier League match in August 2021, but they have not tasted victory against the Gunners in nine meetings across all competitions since, losing five of the last six encounters.
Arsenal’s position at the summit could look tighter by kick-off. Manchester City’s midweek result has cut the gap, meaning Mikel Arteta’s side may arrive in west London with only a three-point cushion.
The Gunners have been formidable in London derbies. They have lost just one of their last 23 Premier League matches against fellow capital clubs and only one of their last 20 away games against London opposition.
Defensively, Arsenal have set the standard this season.
No side has conceded fewer than their 17 league goals and they have kept four clean sheets in their last five top-flight outings. That resilience will be key again on Thursday.
Arsenal tightened their grip on the Premier League title race at the weekend with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, a result that was quickly followed by further encouragement as Manchester City dropped points at home to Chelsea.
The Premier League returns this midweek for Gameweek twenty one, with the table beginning to take shape and pressure building at both ends of the division. The standout fixture arrives on Thursday evening, when Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in a contest that could have a major bearing on the title race.
What are the odds on an Arsenal win?
Arsenal are 4/7 to win the game with Bet365.
What are the odds on Liverpool to win?
Liverpool cvan be backed at around 9/2 to beat Arsenal, which looks quite a bit of value, all things considered.
Even with 18 league games still to play, Arsenal’s six point advantage over both Manchester City and Aston Villa already feels significant at the time of writing.
Mikel Arteta’s side have lost just twice in the league all season and continue to show a level of consistency that has often been missing in previous title challenges.
One of those rare defeats came earlier in the campaign at Anfield, where Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in a match that many felt they deserved to take something from. That result has lingered, and Thursday night now offers an immediate chance for redemption in front of their own supporters.
Arsenal enter the match as clear favourites after navigating a demanding run of fixtures against Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
While their rivals faltered, Arteta’s side continued to collect points, opening up a six point lead at the top at the time of writing and underlining their growing authority.
There is a growing sense that this Arsenal team is ready to end the club’s long wait for a league title, with their last triumph coming back in 2004.
They have lost just one of their last seventeen Premier League games, winning thirteen and drawing three, and have combined defensive solidity with greater composure in decisive moments.
Despite boasting the best defensive record in the division, Arsenal will remain cautious against Liverpool. They have conceded in each of their last 20 league meetings with the Reds, with the last clean sheet in this fixture dating back to a goalless draw in August 2015.
Liverpool arrive in north London on the back of a nine game unbeaten run in all competitions, although recent performances have been less convincing. Draws against Leeds and Fulham have raised questions, particularly after conceding late at Craven Cottage despite taking the lead deep into stoppage time.
Arne Slot’s side sit inside the top four but already trail Aston Villa in third by eight points, a surprising gap for the reigning champions.
Liverpool will be aiming to complete a Premier League double over Arsenal for the eighth time and the first since the 2021 22 season, knowing that history has often favoured them in this fixture.
With Arsenal chasing an eighth successive home league victory and Liverpool looking to reassert themselves in the title conversation, Thursday night promises to tick all the boxes.
A win for the hosts would represent another major step towards a long awaited championship, while defeat could reopen the door for those chasing from behind.