He's the one! The only manager who can replace Arne Slot

There's only one manager who can replace Arne Slot at Liverpool.

Let's make it clear, we never want to see a coach leave the club. Until the last second, anyone employed by Liverpool will always have the fans' backing.

At the end of the day, though, the reality is that long-term Slot's position as manager of the club just looks simple untenable at this stage.

The Dutchman has become a little out of his depth. Liverpool's run since being eliminated by Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League last season has been unsustainable.

The level of performances have dropped off a cliff. If Liverpool had not won their first five games of the season, they could be close to the same position as Tottenham at the moment.

It's because of those five games, that Liverpool still have a whisker of a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Although results absolutely have to turn around.

Long-term there is no way Slot can stay on as head-coach.

But then must come the question, if not Slot, who? There aren't many world-class managers in world football lining up to join Liverpool.

It was a struggle finding Slot in the first place when Jurgen Klopp decided to leave the club.

Right now, the manager market is even more difficult. There are some promising young managers, like Xabi Alonso for example. Andoni Iraola could be an option, Sebastian Hoeness is another candidate but are they ready to manage a big club like Liverpool?

There is only one manager who is probably ready to take on a job like this, and who has the necessary playing style to suit Liverpool's current squad.

The manager is Cesc Fabregas, who has been a revelation since taking over at Como and is on course to guide them to Champions League qualification.

In his first season he managed to keep them in the Serie A after promotion. Now in his second season, he's building a side challenging for a place in Europe.

And he's doing it in the right way, with quick high-intensity football based on possession-control while playing a lot of young players and getting the best out of them, and while also maintaining a strong defensive unit.

Fabregas' Como ranks second for goal scored in the league (53), only behind Inter Milan (66).

They are number two for passes per defensive action against them (8.83), which is a metric used to measure how effective a team's counterpress is.

Essentially, the less passes you allow the opposition to have per possession, in theory the better your press is at disrupting their rhythm and flow.

Right now Slot's side are struggling in this metric in the Premier League but Fabregas has coached a well-drilled Como side, who thrive and are one of the most intense teams in Serie A.

They also rank number one for challenge intensity (6.1) which measures duels, tackles and interceptions per minute of the opponents' possession.

Fabregas' style is full of intensity and being effective in your structure to attack the opposition from the front. Como are a very difficult team to play against.

They will smother you when you have the ball but they are also effective at keeping it.

Fabregas' team rank third in the league for passes attempted per 90 minutes (490) and first for possession (61%).

According to expected points, they should be second in the league, although their position in fourth place above Juventus is also an impressive feat.

Defensively, they have the second fewest xG against them (29.19) and allow the second fewest shots (245).

Based on what Como have shown this season, it's clear that Fabregas is one of the brightest managers in Europe right now.

If there is anyone capable of replacing Slot, it's Fabregas. He's been there as a player, too. Playing at the highest level and winning major accolades like the World Cup.

He is a high profile name, who will likely attract high profile players who want to work with him and look up to him. On top of that, at Como he has been keen on working with younger players and developing and improving them.

This has been one of Slot's weaknesses at Liverpool, and it's why Fabregas just feels like the perfect fit.

The pedigree and his status in the game means he'll understand what is required of him at Anfield. It should also mean he will have no problem winning over the dressing room.

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