Arne Slot’s Liverpool tenure has already begun to look slightly better just five months after his sacking by the Reds.

The Dutchman managed to win the Premier League at the first time of asking, and although he ultimately failed to deliver during a turbulent second season in charge, Andoni Iraola is proving that it is not so easy to get this Liverpool team firing.

Slot visits the Maracana

Slot is clearly taking his time to decide upon his next move in management. After a difficult last year with Liverpool, it is understandable that he would want to pick where he goes next very carefully.

Having put a Premier League win with Liverpool on his CV, it seems fairly certain that Slot will end up at a top club, and if he does choose to leave Europe, there are few bigger than Flamengo.

The Mengao look unlikely to be changing their manager any time soon, with Portuguese boss Leonardo Jardim set to lead them to the Brazilian league title, eight months after taking over from Filipe Luis. However, the managerial merry-go-round moves quickly in Brazil, and it is notable that Slot was seen being gifted a Flamengo shirt during Wednesday’s game.

Both kitted out in a Flamengo shirt, they then pose for a picture with what looks like a couple of officials from the Brazilian champions. Slot is presented with a boxed Flamengo shirt, complete with ‘Arne Slot 10’ on the back, and holds it up to the camera.

It seems implausible that Slot was there as a potential new manager of the Rio De Janeiro side, rather on a holiday with his family, but it was a reminder for Liverpool fans of the regard in which their former head coach is held by the wider footballing world.

We would expect Slot to return to Europe for his next job, but wherever it is, he will no doubt be given a reception befitting of a Premier League winner.