**Liverpool owners FSG have earmarked former midfielder Xabi Alonso as Arne Slot’s successor at Anfield this summer, a new report has claimed.**
Slot is battling to save his job as the Reds’ head coach, with Friday’s trip to Wolves in the FA Cup fifth round another big game for him.
The Dutchman has [been in bullish spirits](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/arne-slot-press-conference-massive-game-wolves-late-goals-and-liverpools-approach) ahead of the match, though, talking up the importance of victory at Molineux after losing there on Tuesday:
_“We always found every game we play very important and we always find every trophy we can win very important. So, last season we tried to win four and this season we tried to win four as well. But two are not possible anymore, the Premier League and the League Cup._
_“So the other two we are in, we try to win it, as we’ve always tried at this club. And of course for us qualification for the Champions League is massive, as we all know. But that’s not on the line tomorrow. Tomorrow the FA Cup is on the line and that’s a massive game for us.”_
Now, [_TEAMtalk_](https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/arne-slot-sack-exclusive-defining-period-pressure-builds-xabi-alonso) claim that Alonso is the “only name” that Liverpool want to bring in at the end of the season, with the Spaniard currently out of work after being sacked by Real Madrid earlier in the season.
The report adds that “the dramatic drop-off from last season’s title triumph has seriously alarmed” those high up at the club, and while they are not definitely “planning a change” yet, Slot “knows a full explanation of the season’s drop-off will be required when the campaign ends.”
**What does Arne Slot need to do to keep his job?**
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For many Liverpool supporters, Slot’s time in charge should be up this summer, following a bitterly disappointing season where he has coached the team poorly.
A top-five finish in the Premier League is the absolute bare minimum, but realistically, the 47-year-old may have to even win the Champions League to save his job.
Slot will still have some fans and pundits on his side, considering he only won the title last season, but he will have to improve hugely to keep his job, and Alonso feels like a natural and popular successor if he is relieved of his duties.