Liverpool have been considered among the frontrunners for both Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi this month, but both established Premier League stars have moved to Manchester City.
This is concerning, given the desperate need for such profiles. Arne Slot's squad have flattered to deceive this season and are fighting for a place in next year's Champions League proper, rather than using their expensive new signings to defend their Premier League title.
Liverpool are 11 games unbeaten in all competitions after that wretched run of autumnal form, but the Reds' performances have still not been up to scratch, leading to plenty of speculation over the security of Slot's position at the helm.
With The Athletic's David Ornstein suggesting that the managerial market might go into overdrive this summer, Liverpool have already sounded out a number of intriguing possible replacements.
Who could replace Slot at Liverpool
Liverpool's hesitance to spend big on one of Semenyo or Guehi suggests that FSG might not retain full faith in Slot's ability to lead the Anfield side for the long run, especially after last summer's record-breaking spending spree.
A host of names have been linked, and fan interest will no doubt have been piqued by Oliver Glasner's decision to part with Crystal Palace when his contract expires this summer.
However, sporting director Richard Hughes knows the importance of getting it right, should Slot be dismissed, and he may look to retrace old ground.
Indeed, as per Spanish sources, 44-year-old coach Xabi Alonso is hoping to land the Liverpool job above all other offers, having parted with Real Madrid this week after a rocky half-season stint in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso before the match
Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed that Alonso is "prepared to return soon" after a disappointing spell at the illustrious club of his playing days, but the one-time midfield maestro also cemented a legacy on Merseyside, and now he could add another chapter.
Why Alonso would be a Slot upgrade
It's interesting that Alonso has left Madrid so prematurely, having proved unable to get a tune out of that illustrious bunch.
Still, Los Blancos are on course for a 90-point La Liga campaign, and the Spanish tactician has plenty of credit left in the bank of public opinion after breaking Bayern Munich's Bundesliga monopoly at Bayer Leverkusen, winning the league and DFB-Pokal as invincibles in 2023/24.
Xabi Alonso record at Real Madrid (timeless)
Tactically flexible and scrupulous in his tactical set-up, Alonso champions dominant, possession-based football, so he could succeed Slot in that regard. Described in the past as a "genius tactician" by Sky Sports' Felix Fischer, he would surely have what it takes to restore this receptive squad to their full capacity.
However, he's more fluid in his offensive play, and he looks to channel play through a central orchestrator, a role Florian Wirtz filled with consummate brilliance in the Bundesliga.
Under Alonso's management with Die Werkself, Wirtz made it all look so easy, with the manager saying of his former protege, "Wirtz is a genius".
Even in a struggling, stunted Slot system, Wirtz has still maintained impressive underlying metrics, with data-led platform FBref revealing he ranks among the top 3% of positional peers in the Premier League for passes attempted and progressive passes, as the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent's goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.
Liverpool signed the German international for £116m last summer, and while he's flattered to deceive, the 22-year-old is clearly a cut above from a technical standpoint, and he's started to grow into his skin over recent weeks, more reminiscent of that wonderful, world-class player they paid for.
Just imagine the gains he could make with Alonso at the helm, freeing him from mental and tactical constraints that have hindered him this term and allowing him to play as the all-consuming superstar that Liverpool are still waiting to emerge in the Premier League, at Anfield.
Florian Wirtz - Career Stats by Position
Position
Attacking midfield
Centre-forward
Left winger
Right winger
Central midfield
Data via Transfermarkt
Wirtz is a multi-faceted attacking midfielder, skilled enough to consume opponents from the left, middle or right. But something hasn't been quite right at Liverpool this season, and it is an issue that goes far beyond the German's struggles.
Slot did a great thing last season, winning the Premier League with relative ease. But the Dutchman's tenure has been frayed, and perhaps change would be the best thing for all parties, certainly providing Wirtz with the tools to rekindle his superstar levels.
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Liverpool are hunting new attacking additions amid a frustrating campaign under Arne Slot.