Liverpool have now held positive talks to appoint an Arne Slot replacement, who has been praised by Jurgen Klopp.
Slot under pressure after Bournemouth defeat
The Reds have been showing some signs of improvement since the end of November, but their 13-game unbeaten run was brought grinding to a halt by AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, with the Cherries emerging as 3-2 winners in dramatic fashion.
Amine Adli sealed all three points for the Cherries with a stoppage-time winner, which means both Chelsea and Manchester United have been given the opportunity to leapfrog Slot's in the Premier League table, should they win their games in hand.
Although the Merseysiders have become more difficult to beat, they had drawn their previous four league games prior to the latest defeat, which is a worry, given that they have played two newly-promoted sides in Leeds United and Burnley.
Arne-Slot-2
Former midfielder Danny Murphy has suggested FSG should now be assessing replacements for Slot, given that his side have fallen way short of expectations this season, after spending heavily in the summer, saying: "The Liverpool hierarchy would be naive not to be assessing other options, because the fan base is discontent, the form isn't great, the expectation is high, the money they've spent."
According to a report from Spain, Liverpool are doing exactly that, having now held positive talks to appoint Xabi Alonso, recently sounding out the ex-Real Madrid manager's agents to assess his interest in taking the job.
FSG are said to have concerns about Slot, in light of the recent results and inconsistency, and an approach has now been made for Alonso, who has emerged as the leading candidate to replace the Dutchman.
The Reds have been admirers of the Spaniard for years, and there are plenty of indications that he could be a solid replacement for Slot...
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The Reds are prepared to spend big again.
"Exceptional" Alonso lauded by Klopp
Although the move to Real Madrid didn't go to plan, with the 44-year-old being dismissed earlier this month, he did a remarkable job at Bayer Leverkusen, with Klopp saying: "[He is a] former world-class player, from a coaching family as well, which helps a little, he was like a coach already when he was playing.
"The football he is playing, the teams he sets up, the transfers he did, it is absolutely exceptional."
During his time with the German club, the former Liverpool midfielder won the 2023-24 Bundesliga title without losing a single game, while also lifting the DFB-Pokal and leading Leverkusen to the final of the Europa League.
Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen record
Games
Wins
Draws
Losses
Points per game
Having punched above his weight in the Bundesliga, dethroning Bayern Munich, Alonso may have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League title race next season, and he could be a fantastic Slot replacement.