Xabi Alonso is without a club after being sacked by Real Madrid but that could change quickly if Arne Slot and Liverpool part ways
Xabi Alonso looks to have already made a Liverpool decision amid talk of the Spaniard eventually replacing Arne Slot
Xabi Alonso looks to have already made a Liverpool decision amid talk of the Spaniard eventually replacing Arne Slot(Image: (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images))
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Xabi Alonso would allegedly be willing to make a comeback to Liverpool should they make the decision to part ways with head coach Arne Slot. The legendary Reds midfielder finds himself without a club following his brutal sacking from Real Madrid last week.
Alonso had been earmarked as the perfect successor to Jurgen Klopp before the Spaniard chose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, claiming their maiden Bundesliga crown before taking over from Carlo Ancelotti in the Spanish capital 12 months down the line.
Yet his tenure at Los Blancos proved disastrous as he was shown the door after their Super Cup defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona. According to a report from Marca in Spain, Alonso intends to take a break from the training ground and the pressurised managerial environment for now, unless Liverpool make contact in the near future.
The report suggests he will eventually take charge at Anfield 'sooner rather than later', claiming that mounting pressure on Slot on Merseyside only strengthens connections to Alonso.
The Dutchman is experiencing renewed scrutiny despite Liverpool's 12-match undefeated streak across all competitions.
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Although they've halted their decline, the Reds' displays have looked lacklustre and the frustration boiled over after Saturday's 1-1 Premier League stalemate with relegation-battling Burnley, as sections of the Anfield crowd jeered the showing.
Marca's report suggests that Alonso is likely to secure a new club in July, though there's no indication of which league or team he'll join to continue his managerial journey.
The report goes on to state that England's Premier League will have 'a lot to say' given the current manager of his cherished club is facing mounting pressure.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is facing some pressure on his job(Image: Getty Images)
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Marcus Edwards' second-half leveller meant Liverpool achieved another unwelcome milestone as they failed to defeat any of the three promoted sides for the first time since 1981.
Slot has already come under fire for their unsuccessful title defence, whilst his public disagreement with star striker Mohamed Salah divided supporters following the Egyptian's explosive remarks after being benched for December's 3-3 stalemate with Leeds United.
There's no indication that Liverpool are questioning Slot's position, having only led the Reds to their second Premier League title in over 30 years last May.
Nevertheless, speculation continues to mount with Liverpool confronting a vital sequence of fixtures that could define their league, domestic cup and Champions League ambitions.
The Dutchman was compelled to address Liverpool supporters' frustration after they jeered the team off following the home match against relegation-threatened Burnley. Slot commented: "Yeah, in my head it wasn't booing but in my head it was frustration as well.
"So if we are Liverpool and we play against Burnley, who we have to give credit to for defending, clearing balls off the line, all the things you want to see if you are the Burnley manager, trying everything to prevent us scoring.
"But if you, as Liverpool, are not disappointed by having a draw at home to Burnley, then something is completely wrong. I completely understand the frustration. I have the same frustrations, and the players definitely have the same frustrations, as the fans."
The defending champions have dropped out of contention for the Premier League title, and whilst they currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, they face pressure from Manchester United and Chelsea, who trail by just one and two points respectively.