Liverpool are closing in on a major backroom addition as they attempt to stabilize a volatile situation at Anfield. The move is a significant signal that Fenway Sports Group is committing to Arne Slot for the long haul, despite a season of intense domestic scrutiny and dressing room friction.

According to a Tier 1 report from The Guardian yesterday, May 22, 2026, the club is progressing in negotiations to bring Etiënne Reijnen to Merseyside. Reijnen, who recently departed Feyenoord, has been Slot's primary target since his arrival at Anfield in 2024. A previous attempt to secure his services was blocked by work permit issues, but those administrative hurdles are now being cleared.

Slot refused to confirm the deal in his press conference yesterday, maintaining his typical policy on unfinished business. However, behind the scenes, the hiring represents a key victory for a manager who has spent the last year fighting to establish his own authority at the club.

The Profile of Slot's Trusted Lieutenant

Etiënne Reijnen is a familiar figure in Slot's professional circle. At 39 years old, the former Dutch defender shares a long history with the Liverpool manager, having played alongside him at PEC Zwolle before joining his coaching staff at Feyenoord in 2023. His sudden departure from Rotterdam earlier this month fueled speculation that a major move was on the cards, and Liverpool’s prompt action has confirmed those suspicions.

Reijnen is not a conventional assistant manager who simply runs training sessions or sets up cones. He is a modern tactical analyst and set-piece coach whose primary value lies in his ability to dissect opposition patterns and refine defensive shapes. During his time at De Kuip, his work on set-piece intelligence helped Feyenoord maintain one of the most robust defensive records in Eredivisie history.

His coaching philosophy is built on high-intensity pressing and aggressive defensive lines, which matches Slot’s preferred tactical blueprint. At Zwolle and Feyenoord, Reijnen developed a reputation for clear tactical communication, translating complex video analysis into direct instructions for first-team players.

Backroom Restructuring and Dressing Room Friction

The decision to hire Reijnen comes at a precarious moment for Slot. Despite winning the Premier League title in his debut 2024–25 season, Slot has faced a brutal second year filled with inconsistent performances, tactical questions, and squad unrest. The team has yet to secure Champions League qualification, adding extreme pressure as they head into their final fixture.

The contrast with their rivals is glaring; while Arsenal celebrated their first league title in 22 years and are preparing to take on PSG in the Champions League final, Liverpool's campaign has devolved into damage control. As Mirror Football detailed, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has his own tactical options opening up with the dramatic return of Mikel Merino to full training, showing a squad that is unified and firing on all cylinders.

The friction within the Liverpool squad became visible recently when Mohamed Salah posted a critical message on social media that was liked by several senior first-team players. The post was widely interpreted as a direct swipe at Slot’s playing style, exposing a clear division in the dressing room. Bringing in a trusted ally like Reijnen is a deliberate attempt to restore order and assert Slot’s influence over a rebellious squad.

Reijnen’s tactical focus will be immediately directed at Liverpool’s struggling set-piece defense. Under Slot, the Reds have looked vulnerable from corner kicks and wide free kicks, dropping vital points against lower-table opponents in a manner that would make a Football365 match preview analyst shudder. Reijnen's track record at Feyenoord suggests he can address these systemic vulnerabilities, but doing so will require winning the trust of a skeptical dressing room.

The Financials and the Work Permit Saga

Because Reijnen recently terminated his contract with Feyenoord, Liverpool will not have to pay a significant compensation fee to the Dutch club. Financial details regarding his personal terms remain undisclosed, and Liverpool's board has kept wage discussions strictly under wraps. Never inventing details not in the sources is standard protocol for club statements, and the media has followed suit.

This second pursuit represents a major administrative effort by Liverpool’s legal team. When Slot first arrived at Anfield, the UK’s post-Brexit work permit regulations blocked Reijnen’s appointment due to his lack of a conventional coaching license recognized by the Football Association. Liverpool's willingness to revisit this complex administrative process demonstrates their long-term commitment to Slot, proving they are willing to fight through bureaucratic red tape to give him the tools he needs.

The Strategic Contrast Across Stanley Park

While Liverpool works to secure their manager's future, their neighbors Everton are facing a much more desperate summer. Everton manager David Moyes has warned that the club needs a major overhaul under the incoming ownership of the Friedkin Group. The Toffees suffered a severe late-season slump that destroyed their chances of securing European football, leaving Moyes despondent.

Moyes has made it clear that Everton must show ambition to prevent another season of relegation struggles, acknowledging that supporters have had too many dark days in recent years. Moyes has appreciated that Everton fans "have had too many dark days over recent seasons. This season showed a little bit of brightness." However, they need "a big summer" and must "dodge and weave" to make the right additions.

Moyes has admitted that Everton will not have a massive £200 million budget to sign players and must work strategically to rebuild their squad. The contrast between the two Merseyside clubs is sharp. Liverpool is spending administrative capital to secure a set-piece coach for a manager who has already won them a title. Everton, meanwhile, is facing a battle to rebuild an entire playing squad with limited funds under a new regime.

Probability and Expected Timeline

The probability of Etiënne Reijnen joining Liverpool stands at a solid 90% chance. Given his recent departure from Feyenoord and the active progression of negotiations, the administrative details are the only remaining obstacle. Slot's refusal to comment yesterday is a standard media strategy rather than an indication of a breakdown in talks.

The deal is expected to be finalized within the next two weeks, well before Liverpool's first-team squad reports back for pre-season training. The timing is designed to give Reijnen a full summer to analyze squad data and prepare his tactical sessions.

The Expected Impact

If the deal is completed, Reijnen’s arrival will have an immediate impact on Liverpool’s tactical preparation. His expertise in set-piece intelligence will address their most glaring defensive weakness, providing immediate stability to a shaky backline.

More importantly, the signing represents a vital political victory for Arne Slot. By securing his primary coaching target, Slot will have a loyal ally in the dugout, strengthening his position against dressing room dissent and showing the squad that the board is fully behind him.