A Real Madrid star has given some insight into Xabi Alonso's methods, as the former Liverpool midfielder is widely considered the obvious alternative if Arne Slot leaves
12:22, 12 Mar 2026
Xabi Alonso has been widely touted as a possible replacement for Arne Slot at Liverpool
Xabi Alonso has been widely touted as a possible replacement for Arne Slot at Liverpool(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Arne Slot would be under pressure regardless of external factors, but the presence of Xabi Alonso on the list of available managers has thrown the Liverpool boss's future into sharper relief.
The continued faltering form is inevitably being viewed through the lens of a viable and impressive alternative waiting in the wings. At present, Liverpool appears steadfast in its decision to stick by Slot. And perhaps the club should be applauded for its long-termism: after all, Alonso's stint at Real Madrid is clear proof that even the most promising managers can endure tough spells when circumstances conspire against them.
Circumstances have clearly not been kind to Slot, who would probably struggle to recognize record signing Alexander Isak if he passed him in the street, such has been the striker's lack of involvement. The forward has been joined in the treatment room by a steady stream of colleagues (half of them right-backs), with Alisson the latest absentee.
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Even so, there is no hiding from the fact that this season has not been good enough. And if Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards were tempted into making a change, Alonso would surely be at the top of the list of candidates.
That would necessarily beg the question of what exactly went wrong at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid hit an undoubted high point of the season yesterday under Alvaro Arbeloa (another Liverpool alum), powering past Manchester City 3-0 in the Champions League, and it's fair to wonder why Alonso could not stir up any such performances or results.
Thibaut Courtois has been speaking about Alonso's brief reign. He insists that the players did not get him sacked, but his explanation certainly seems to imply that one of the manager's methods was not universally popular.
Xabi Alonso taking Real Madrid training
Xabi Alonso taking Real Madrid training(Image: Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
"Nobody tried to get Xabi fired," Courtois told journalists after the Man City win, via ESPN. "We worked hard.
"People were saying we didn't like the tactics, or the videos... Look, I had a coach like Antonio Conte who had us there for an hour every day, and it didn't matter, because we're professionals, work comes first.
"One thing is playing with your friends, but I'm a professional, if I have to watch a half-hour video I'll do it. That's how you prepare for games; in the summer I talked to NFL players who are there all day from 9AM to 6PM or 8PM watching videos, and there's no problem.
"People have doubted our professionalism. The first months with Xabi went well, and suddenly we had a dip: that happens in football."
There's nothing in Courtois' account that would especially alarm Liverpool decision-makers. Indeed, for all of the goalkeeper's protestations, it reflects worst of all on Real Madrid: Alonso prioritized video analysis and a clear tactical plan, and the subtext undoubtedly implies that the Galacticos were neither used to this kind of rigor nor ready to get fully on board.
Thibaut Courtois is at pains to stress that the Real Madrid players definitely didn't mind Alonso's long video analysis sessions
Thibaut Courtois is at pains to stress that the Real Madrid players definitely didn't mind Alonso's long video analysis sessions(Image: Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
However, the Real Madrid star certainly hit on one salient point: dips can happen in football, and they are not always a reflection of the manager. That's why Liverpool would still be comfortable hiring Alonso, but it's also why it has no plans to get rid of Slot just yet.
The million-dollar question is at what point fingers turn toward the manager. With all the analysis in the world, it is impossible to pinpoint for certain.
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But if Slot does reach that point of no return, and Alonso is chosen in his stead, then Courtois has shown Liverpool what to expect. You'd imagine that the squad at Anfield would be perfectly receptive to video analysis and fresh tactical impetus, especially with its emerging core of young and moldable talent.
In particular, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are already disciples of Alonso, having worked with him at Bayer Leverkusen to great effect. More converts would surely follow.
However, the point remains moot for now, and too much discussion would be unfair to Slot. If fans are willing to overlook Alonso's poor run of results when clamoring for his return, they should afford the incumbent Liverpool manager the same grace, at least giving him until the end of the season before asking the replacement question in earnest.