Alonso would be given more leeway if a retracing of steps to Merseyside were to be made. The expectation has always been that hewill return to Anfield at some stage, having enjoyed five memorable years with Liverpool as a player.
There has been talk of movement on the managerial front there, with Arne Slot failing to build on Premier League title-winning foundations, so could the Reds be tempted to accelerate plans to bring Alonso back onto their books if Chelsea formalised their interest?
Johnson said when that question was put to him: “It's a tricky one and I don't think anyone would know the answer until afterwards.
“Obviously Xabi has been great as a young coach doing what he's been doing. You can understand why people would be interested in him. But yes, managers potentially could only be available now and maybe not again for six, seven years.
“I'm sure they'd be looking, or Arne might be looking over his shoulder, but for me it's like the devil you know is sometimes better than the devil you don't. I know Xabi's a legend at the club, but that doesn't guarantee you're going to be a good manager at that club.
“Obviously things are bad right now by Liverpool standards for sure, but I don't think you can replace a manager like Slot so quickly and willy-nilly.”