Liverpool could reportedly conclude talks with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot by the weekend as they look to make the 45-year-old their new manager, according to reports.
There are just four matches left of the Jurgen Klopp era in the wake of the Reds' 2-0 defeat to Everton on Wednesday night.
The Merseyside giants had gone into the contest hoping to claim all three points and boost their chances of Premier League glory.
But goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewis gave the Toffees all three points.
Liverpool are hoping to make Arne Slot their new manager
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With four matches of the Klopp era to go, Liverpool have been looking at successors.
Ruben Amorim had previously been seen as the frontrunner to take over at Anfield, with the Portuguese impressing in his role at Sporting Lisbon.
But Slot now seems to be in pole position to replace Klopp.
According to the Daily Mail, talks are progressing well with Liverpool 'closing in' on making the Dutchman their new manager.
Liverpool have already made a first offer of compensation, with a fee of £10million currently required to bring Slot to the club.
The situation is reportedly 'developing quickly' and talks to hire Slot could even be concluded by the weekend.
The 45-year-old was of interest to both Tottenham and Chelsea last summer, before both clubs went for different managers instead.
Spurs went for Ange Postecoglou, prising the Australian away from Celtic.
And Chelsea opted to hire Mauricio Pochettino, whose future at Stamford Bridge is currently up in the air after a nightmare season so far.
Slot had won plaudits for his work at Feyenoord, with the Dutchman winning two trophies with the club so far.
He guided them to Eredivisie glory in 2023, before then going on to win the KNVB Cup earlier this year.
Slot also steered Feyenoord to the final of the Europa Conference League in 2022, with Jose Mourinho's Roma winning that match 1-0 to claim the prize.
Meanwhile, speaking after Liverpool lost to Everton on Wednesday, Virgil van Dijk was asked about Slot.
And the Netherlands international praised the credentials of his compatriot, saying: "I find it difficult to answer now.
"Of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at the moment.
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Liverpool have made Arne Slot their No 1 choice to take over from Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season
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"I think the way he plays and the philosophy he has means he could be a Liverpool coach.
"Well, I think what I also read and hear is that it is far from over and we'll see and next year we'll focus on that.
"Yes, but just a little longer.”
Liverpool face paying a fee of around £10million to prise Arne Slot away from Feyenoord
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Liverpool are next in action against West Ham on Saturday (12.30pm).
The Reds won 3-1 when they met in the league back in September, with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota all on target.
And Liverpool beat West Ham 5-1 in the Carabao Cup in December with Salah, Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and a brace from Curtis Jones giving them victory.