Liverpool's American owners face a familiar crossroads. FSG must decide whether to stick or twist with Arne Slot as fan discontent reaches boiling point following Saturday's toxic 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes the Dutchman's departure is now a case of when rather than if, despite winning the Premier League in his first season.

The owners have been here before. In 2015, Brendan Rodgers faced the same fan revolt before a humiliating 6-1 defeat at Stoke City. FSG backed Rodgers with £32.5m for Christian Benteke and £29m for Roberto Firmino, but sacked him in October that year, replacing him with Jurgen Klopp who delivered Champions League and Premier League glory.

Xabi Alonso has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Slot. The former Liverpool hero won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and remains hugely popular with the Kop. Murphy says Alonso's availability gives Liverpool a clear option, though he also suggested Paris St-Germain's Luis Enrique as a more ambitious target. With no indications FSG are planning changes, the pressure continues to mount on Slot.