Why Flick Should Be In Liverpool's Thinking

Every time the manager conversation kicks off, it tends to funnel towards the same two names. Alonso. Enrique. And that’s understandable, because fans want a clear identity again: intensity, front-foot football, and a side that looks like it knows what it’s trying to do.

But if we’re playing the “who actually suits Liverpool?” game, there’s a third profile that feels oddly under-discussed in these debates: Hansi Flick. Whether he’s realistically attainable is another matter, but stylistically he ticks plenty of boxes that Liverpool supporters usually ask for.

It’s the tempo, not just the possession

What appeals with Flick isn’t some slow, sterile version of control. It’s the idea of having the ball and still playing with purpose. Quick forward passing. Vertical runs. A team that looks like it wants to reach the final third in a few actions, not a few minutes.

The talk around him often leans into high energy, aggressive pressing and a high defensive line. That’s familiar territory for Liverpool fans. It’s also the bit that makes it feel “Liverpool” in the stands: the sense of momentum, the opposition looking rushed, the crowd getting pulled into it because the game is being played at our tempo.

Pressing and counter-pressing: the non-negotiables

If you’re going to sell any modern Liverpool crowd on a manager, the first question is simple: do we win the ball back quickly, or do we drop off and suffer? Flick’s football, as it’s often described, leans heavily on immediate counter-pressing after losing it. That alone will sound like music to a lot of people who miss the best versions of our intensity.

There’s also the tactical detail that supporters latch onto because it feels coherent: overloads, half-spaces, and full-backs used in slightly lopsided ways depending on the game state. None of that guarantees success on its own, obviously, but it does suggest a manager with a clear framework rather than a vague philosophy.

The awkward bit: getting him

Here’s where reality bites. If you’re talking about Alonso, Enrique, or Flick, you’re talking about managers who won’t be simple to land. That’s just modern football. Contracts, projects, and yes, money.

Truth is, it often comes down to how much a club is prepared to commit, and how convincingly it can sell the plan. Liverpool have always worked best when the structure is strong and the message is clear. If the club ever did want to pivot towards that kind of high-octane, aggressive style again, Flick is at least a name that belongs in the same sentence as the usual shortlist.

Written by ArAy1969: 9 January 2026