Rumours have begun swirling around Anfield after reports emerged suggesting that Jürgen Klopp once held a private meeting with Liverpool’s hierarchy just before they made a final decision on dismissing their previous manager — a reminder of how discreetly FSG has acted in the past when contemplating major changes.
Liverpool now find themselves in a worrying run of form under Arne Slot. The team has suffered six defeats in their last seven Premier League fixtures, and Fenway Sports Group have already shown they are not afraid to make difficult managerial calls when results demand action.
Slot is facing increasing pressure, and doubts about his future are growing louder.
The latest 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest deepened Liverpool’s slump. The club has now lost six of its last seven league games and eight of its last 11 in all competitions. Despite being only 12 matches into the campaign, their hopes of defending the Premier League title already appear to be slipping away. Beyond the poor results, the performance against Forest has raised major concerns, as Slot still struggles to get the best out of his squad despite heavy investment in the summer.
While Slot still has influential supporters within the club — with chairman Tom Werner recently stating that the manager is not close to being sacked — FSG has a long history of acting decisively when necessary.
It has been a decade since Liverpool’s owners last dealt with a managerial dismissal, when Brendan Rodgers was relieved of his duties in 2015.
Rodgers, much like Slot, had received substantial backing in the transfer market — though far less than what Slot was given — before the 2015/16 season. Yet, after a 1–1 draw with Everton left Liverpool sitting in 10th place, FSG’s patience had evaporated.
According to the Liverpool Echo, FSG president Mike Gordon phoned Rodgers just an hour after full time to inform him that he had been dismissed. The decision stunned many, with Thierry Henry famously consoling Jamie Carragher live on air, but the American ownership had been preparing for this outcome behind the scenes.
In fact, FSG had already begun discreetly searching for Rodgers’ replacement in the weeks leading up to his sacking. Just days before Rodgers was officially relieved of his role, Klopp secretly met with Liverpool officials.
“The first meeting was in New York, that’s true,” Klopp later recalled of his initial discussions with Liverpool and FSG.
“But the first phone call with Mike happened before that — maybe three days earlier, I’m not entirely sure. I remember it well because it was a nice day. I think I was still in bed, on holiday, with nothing to do.
“I knew someone from FSG would be contacting me. I didn’t know Mike at that time, but we spoke for an hour. I must have convinced him because he wanted to meet in New York soon after. That’s how it all began.”
The meeting between Klopp and FSG remained completely confidential. Klopp publicly said he was travelling to the United States to watch a basketball game, while in reality, he spent six hours discussing the role — and by the end of those talks, he was virtually confirmed as Rodgers’ successor.
At present, there is no evidence that Liverpool are holding similar behind-the-scenes meetings regarding a potential replacement for Slot, but FSG have already proven their ability to conduct such matters with absolute secrecy.
With chairman Tom Werner personally attending the defeat to Forest, Slot is undoubtedly under close observation from the club’s leadership.
Unless the Dutchman can quickly halt Liverpool’s downward spiral, FSG may be forced into making only their second managerial dismissal in ten years.
