Liverpool are in a worrying position amid their troubles under Arne Slot, with many fans demanding a change of manager.
For the first time in the modern era of football, the Reds have lost 20 games in a single season, outstripping the 19 defeats Rafa Benitez suffered in 2004-05 and 2009/10 before he was fired by Hicks and Gillett.
Arne Slot BREAKS the record for most defeats in a single season by any Liverpool manager
Rafael Benitez (2004/05) – 19
Rafael Benitez (2009/10) – 19
ARNE SLOT (2025/2026) – 20 pic.twitter.com/6u4ux5fVAx— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) May 15, 2026
Reports suggest that Fenway Sports Group will keep faith with Slot for next season, but a wild claim has been made about making Pep Guardiola the new Liverpool manager.
Guardiola would ‘love to manage Liverpool’, claims Pennant
Jermain Pennant has tipped Guardiola to join Liverpool when he leaves Man City while speaking to the talkSPORT Inside Liverpool podcast this week. While a very unlikely outcome, it would be quite something for the Reds to say both Jurgen Klopp and Guardiola managed them.
Pennant was asked whether or not Liverpool would be keen to hire Guardiola, regardless of the Slot drama, and he was effusive in his praise for the Spanish coach.
“Of course, who wouldn’t? Every team on the planet would like Pep as their manager,” Pennant said. “He’d love to [manage Liverpool]. Look at the Kop when you walk out. 100%. The atmosphere – he’d love to play in that.”
? Pep Guardiola to leave position as Manchester City manager at end of this season. 55yo Spaniard departing after trophy-laden decade & set to be replaced by Enzo Maresca. No official confirmation yet from #MCFC. W/ @SamLee @TheAthleticFC after @MailSport https://t.co/FMjZXxfuPq
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 18, 2026
Would Guardiola consider managing Liverpool despite spending 10 years at Man City?
That’s the big question. While loyalty seems to be an afterthought in modern football compared to the old days, Guardiola has forged an incredible relationship with Man City fans over the last 10 years.
“Couldn’t care less,” Pennant stated when asked about Guardiola’s Man City legacy. “If you’re going come over here, play attractive football – as you do, win. Yeah, come here mate. Open arms pal, come on!”
It would be an incredible turn of events for Liverpool to go from Klopp to Arne Slot, who did win the Premier League in his first season despite this year’s capitulation, to Guardiola in the space of three years.
