Xabi Alonso has made no secret of his wish to make a return to Liverpool and manage the club one day.
The Spaniard reiterated that earlier this week as he was questioned on his Real Madrid future in the lead up to Wednesday’s clash with Manchester City.
“Of course there is a bond with my former club,” Alonso said, referring specifically to Liverpool. “But for now this is my place. In future you never know what might happen.”
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There had been rumours in the Spanish press that Alonso could be sacked if Madrid lost to City, which they duly did, eventually being beaten 2-1 at the Bernabeu.
Having led Real to only two wins from eight matches, the writing had looked to be on the wall for Alonso, potentially opening up the possibility of a move to Liverpool. But according to journalist Guillem Balague, the 43-year-old has been given a stay of execution.
Xabi Alonso is hanging on at Real Madrid
Alonso‘s situation feels inexorably linked to that of Arne Slot at Liverpool. Should the Real boss be handed his p45, it could expedite the Reds doing the same to Slot.
Liverpool had their eye on Alonso before appointing the Dutchman as successor to Jurgen Klopp, and should he become available unexpectedly, it would ramp up the pressure on the Reds’ head coach.
Xabi Alonso at a press conference for Real Madrid's meeting with Valencia CF
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For now, though, Balague says Alonso is going nowhere despite defeat against City.
“It gives him a bit more time.” the journalist told CBS Sports Golazo. “It wasn’t a bad defeat. He was never going to be sacked here unless they lost 5-0 against City.
“But they need to reply and show the performance they had today against Alaves at the weekend, if they do that they may have turned a corner.
“But the problem is a deep problem which is to do with the culture of the club, players are not so happy with the methods, with the structure, with far too many demands. He’s still on the edge.
Luis Enrique backed as dream replacement for Arne Slot
“I think long-term they want Luis Enrique. I think there’s little to no chance Paris would allow that to happen, but maybe Luis Enrique harbours an ambition to manage in the Premier League.”
Richard Keys speaking on beIN SPORTS
Real Sociedad v Paris Saint-Germain: Round of 16 Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
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Luis Enrique honours as a manager:
La Liga x2
Ligue 1 x2
Champions League x2
Copa del Rey x3
Coupe de France x2
Club World Cup x1
Super Cup x2
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“It’s game by game,” Balague added. “We know there was a meeting with the board after the Celta defeat about the future of Xabi Alonso.”
Would Liverpool look to Alonso if he is sacked?
This story could become irrelevant to Liverpool if Slot turns things around at Anfield. Clearly, if he can do that, the Reds will not need a new manager any time soon.
However, Alonso has felt to be on a collision course with Liverpool ever since he went into management.
With question marks over whether Slot is the right man in the longer term, it may make sense to look to the Bundesliga-winning boss at the end of the season, for example.
There will be some supporters who would question why a manager who failed at Madrid would do anything differently at Liverpool.
However, Alonso’s problems seem to stem from a failure to get his superstar players to buy into working hard for the team. That should not be a problem with this group of players at Anfield. It may not happen straight away, but this is certainly one to watch from a Liverpool perspective.
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