Xabi Alonso is has been linked with Liverpool and a rival Premier League club ahead of the summer
Liverpool could be faced with serious competition for Xabi Alonso, should the club opt to look for a change of manager once the season ends.
Arne Slot has been feeling the pressure this season as the Reds have struggled to recreate their previous title-winning standard performances. Their latest 4-1 win over Newcastle United was a huge boost for morale but they had to wait six games to mark their first Premier League victory of 2026.
Liverpool were looking to appoint Alonso as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement in 2024 but the former midfielder opted to stay with Bayer Leverkusen after leading them to the Bundesliga title.
He is now a free agent since leaving latest club Real Madrid but Liverpool aren’t the only club admiring him.
Xabi Alonso linked with potential Manchester City move
According to The Telegraph, Alonso is ‘expected to feature on a three-man shortlist’ of potential managerial candidates for Manchester City. Rumours surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future have been doing the rounds in recent weeks and there is now ‘growing belief’ this will be his last season at the Etihad.
Guardiola has been the City manager since 2016 and in that time, he has won the Premier League six times and guided the club to their iconic treble during the 2022/23 season.
Should he opt to leave City, the club are expected to include Alonso on their three-man shortlist to replace Guardiola. The report claims that the former Liverpool star is a name the Manchester side ‘will carefully consider’ despite his association with Anfield.
Recently departed Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has also been mentioned but he is ‘unlikely’ to get a clear run at the job if Guardiola does leave.
Will Liverpool part ways with Arne Slot?
Amid resurfaced sack rumours this year, it has been suggested that Slot will remain in charge of the Reds until the end of the season, but this has sparked rumours that he could be replaced in the summer.
The connection between Liverpool and Alonso hasn’t gone away and The Telegraph states the Reds ‘will almost certainly’ attempt to reunite with their former player, should a managerial change be requited.
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