Liverpool pulled the plug on deal Arne Slot was convinced would happen just days before his sacking

Arne Slot was ready to welcome a new face to Anfield just days before he was sacked.

After two seasons in charge, Liverpool manager Slot was sacked after a difficult second year, finishing fifth in the Premier League.

The Dutch manager guided the club to their 20th league title in his debut season, but his style of play and performances on the pitch ultimately led to him losing the confidence of both the fans and the Liverpool board.

"That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and - most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves - successful," Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) said in a statement.

Slot's sacking came as a major surprise to many given the fact that throughout the final weeks of the season it was widely reported that FSG were planning to stick with the Dutchman, with preparations for his third season already underway.

And it has now been revealed that, as part of those preparations the club were working on a deal to add Dutch professional football manager Etienne Reijnen to Slot's staff for the next campaign.

Slot is said to have been heavily in favour of the move having worked with him at previous club Feyenoord and, according to The Telegraph, the former Liverpool manager was confident of Reijnen joining as recently as May 22.

So much so, that Reijnen himself had said goodbyes to people in Rotterdam as contract talks with Liverpool continued to progress.

Of course, it. is now expected that Reijnen will no longer join Liverpool, with the club's next manager set to bring some of their own staff with them when finally appointed.

Liverpool set strict deadline to appoint Arne Slot replacement

Ever since news of Slot's dismissal first emerged, the rumour mill regarding the Dutchman's replacement has been spinning.

Several big names have been linked with the Anfield job, but it appears that former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is the firm favourite having left the Premier League side after leading them to Europe this season.

As per Paul Joyce at The Times, Liverpool will begin formal talks with the Spaniard and his team this week, as they intend to appoint their new manager before the World Cup kicks off in just over one week on June 11.

And with Crystal Palace, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen all reported to be making moves for Iraola, Liverpool may have to move quickly if they are to secure the in-demand manager's signature.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher reveals major concern over Andoni Iraola after breaking silence on Arne Slot sacking

But Iraola isn't the only manager that Liverpool are considering as Slot's replacement as Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness and Lens manager Pierre Sage are also on the shortlist.

That being said, Joyce adds that it would be a shock if Iraola isn't appointed as Liverpool's next manager in the coming days.