Liverpool moved a step closer to automatic qualification for the Champions League knockout phase courtesy of a 1-0 win over Inter Milan on Tuesday evening.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty earned the Reds a crucial win at the San Siro, with Arne Slot’s side now sitting eighth in the 36-team Champions League table, with the top eight qualifying automatically for the knockout stages.
The Reds have been in a dismal run of form of late, winning just two of their last ten Premier League matches.
Following their most recent domestic outing – a 3-3 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday – talisman Mohamed Salah gave a shock interview where he claimed that someone ‘wanted him out of the club’.
In the wake of his comments, the Egyptian was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their trip to Milan, although it remains to be seen whether or not he will feature against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
While Tuesday’s victory against Inter may have eased the pressure on Slot, it has now emerged that those in charge of Liverpool have already identified their top target to replace the Dutchman if he is dismissed.
According to CaughtOffside, the Merseyside club have placed Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso as their top target to succeed Slot.
Alonso is Liverpool’s top managerial target (Photo: SOPA Images Limited/Alamy)
The report claims that the reigning Premier League champions’ owners, FSG, perceive Alonso to be the ideal candidate to do so, partly due to his connection with the club.
Alonso spent time at Anfield during his playing days, and has since embarked on an impressive managerial career.
The Spaniard guided Bayer Leverkusen to a first ever Bundesliga title in 2024, beating Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to the trophy.
He remained in charge of Leverkusen last term, before leaving Germany over the summer to take charge of Real Madrid; another of his former sides.
Things haven’t quite gone to plan in Madrid so far, though, with Real sitting four points behind leaders Barcelona in the La Liga table.