With Mikel Arteta guiding Arsenal's Premier League title challenge, former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been tipped to follow the lead of the Gunners manager
Bayer Leverkusen's Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso (R) and Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta greet each other before the start of the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen's Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso (R) and Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta greet each other before the start of the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
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Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit is convinced Xabi Alonso would opt for Liverpool ahead of Manchester City if presented with opportunities by both teams. Alonso, 44, is presently without a club after being dismissed by Real Madrid on January 13.
When Jurgen Klopp revealed his Anfield departure, Alonso was strongly tipped for the position, before ultimately opting for a sentimental homecoming to the Bernabeu. Yet with Arne Slot facing scrutiny throughout this campaign and Alonso now there for the taking, the ex-Reds playmaker has once more been linked with a return to Merseyside.
Nevertheless, with Pep Guardiola's long-term plans also unclear, the Etihad Stadium has similarly emerged as a possible landing spot for the legendary Spaniard. In a scenario where both Liverpool and City vacancies existed simultaneously, Petit is adamant Alonso would choose his former employers, mirroring Mikel Arteta's decision, when he departed his position as City's assistant to take charge at Arsenal, his former club.
Speaking to Ignition Casino, the Frenchman said: "If Xabi Alonso has the chance to come back to Liverpool, even if the door is open at Man City, I'm pretty sure he would join Liverpool. He has a connection to Liverpool.
"He's been a player over there and he won trophies over there. He failed at Real Madrid but that has been the case for many managers over there."
"I think if he has the chance to join the Premier League, Liverpool would be the perfect club for him. It's like Mikel Arteta's connection to Arsenal, it would mean he wouldn't consider joining Manchester City even when Pep Guardiola leaves."
Prior to Arteta's return to the Emirates Stadium as boss, he was experiencing considerable success with City as Guardiola's assistant. Yet with Arsenal struggling, he departed Guardiola's trophy-laden operation to revitalise the Gunners.
They currently sit top of the Premier League by four points, have reached the League Cup final, progressed in the FA Cup and remain amongst the Champions League favourites, having finished top of their group in the opening phase. In contrast, the Reds have suffered a disappointing title pursuit, despite the record-breaking transfer spending last summer.
Slot's team sit sixth in the Premier League, 15 points adrift of Arsenal and three behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Liverpool performed strongly in the Champions League, securing third spot in the league phase, but should they fail to lift the trophy and maintain their current Premier League position, they'll miss out on the competition next season.
Liverpool, England - November 5: Bayer 04 Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso and Liverpool manager Arne Slot speak at full time during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England
Xabi Alonso was heavily linked to Liverpool before Arne Slot was appointed(Image: 2024 DeFodi Images)
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Jamie Carragher recently suggested failing to qualify for the tournament could see Slot lose his position. The former defender stated on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football: "Once you start fearing Champions League qualification for next season, that's when I feel we've got a different proposition when we're talking about the manager's job.
"That, for me, is completely different. Not winning the league or challenging for the league, that is a collective responsibility, and Liverpool don't win the league every year.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, and Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Real Madrid, embrace prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 10, 2025 in Madrid, Spain
City have also been rumoured to be a potential destination for Alonso, if Guardiola leaves the club(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
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"Not making the Champions League from champions, spending £450million and having the highest wage bill, which is the biggest determining factor normally about where you finish, I think you've got serious questions."
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