The final stretch of the 2025/26 season is upon us, but a cloud of uncertainty hangs over Anfield: will Arne Slot still be at the helm when Liverpool kick off the 2026/27 campaign? The pressure is mounting on the Dutchman after a frustrated Anfield crowd voiced their discontent during last weekend's 1-1 draw with Chelsea—a result that only intensified the whispers of a potential managerial shake-up.

While reports suggest the club's hierarchy are still planning for next season with Slot in charge, the growing unrest has sparked fresh debate over who might replace him if FSG decide to pull the trigger. Betting markets on Liverpool's next permanent manager have heated up in recent days, with fans eagerly tracking the odds. Here's a look at the current frontrunners to take over the Anfield dugout.

Xabi Alonso leads the pack—and it's easy to see why. The former Liverpool midfielder was already in the frame before Slot was appointed as Jurgen Klopp's successor, thanks to an unforgettable 2023/24 season where he led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title. Though his subsequent stint at Real Madrid ended in January, Alonso's reputation remains largely intact; reports of training ground tensions at the Bernabéu suggest deeper issues beyond his control. Now a free agent, the 44-year-old would almost certainly jump at the chance to return to Anfield—a club he still holds dear—should a vacancy arise.

Of course, there's no concrete indication that Slot will be shown the door. But if Liverpool stumble through the remainder of the season, the allure of a world-class manager waiting in the wings could prove too tempting for the board to ignore. The situation gets even more intriguing with Chelsea also reportedly interested in Alonso, meaning the race for his signature could become a summer saga if Slot keeps his job. For now, all eyes are on how the Reds finish the campaign—and whether the Kop's whispers turn into a roar for change.