The latest Liverpool news sees the Reds given a warning over Xabi Alonso's future while Mohamed Salah has been supported by a former star
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool speaks with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool as he comes on to replace Hugo Ekitike during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield on April 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Mo Salah and Arne Slot haven't always seen eye-to-eye this season(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)
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Arne Slot may currently retain the support of Liverpool's hierarchy, but reports that Xabi Alonso could be heading to Chelsea have frustrated sections of the club's fanbase. Slot has faced significant criticism this season as Liverpool have laboured towards a top-five finish.
The Dutchman still has goodwill in reserve following his remarkable Premier League title triumph last season. However, a trophy-less campaign this year, coupled with 11 league defeats to date, has prompted some supporters to demand change.
Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea provoked fury at Anfield, with a resounding chorus of boos greeting Slot, his backroom team and players when the final whistle sounded.
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Liverpool legend Alonso has long featured on many supporters' shortlist should the club pursue a new manager, and today's developments have seen a club icon caution the Reds about the danger of losing the Spaniard to their rivals. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah has received backing from a Premier League legend following his latest remarks.
Xabi Alonso warning delivered
Jamie Carragher fears Liverpool could live to regret allowing Xabi Alonso to join Chelsea. The Londoners dismissed Liam Rosenior just three months into a six-year contract in April.
Reports suggest Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Fulham's Marco Silva and former Real Madrid boss Alonso have been identified as the frontrunners for the role. Ex-Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso made the move to Real last summer but parted ways shortly after the new year, and the Blues could present him with an opportunity to return to management.
Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso reacts during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah on January 11, 2026. Real Madrid appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as new coach on January 12, 2026 after coach Xabi Alonso has left the club by mutual consent, a day after the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona, AFP reports. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso has been strongly linked with Chelsea job(Image: FADEL SENNA, AFP via Getty Images)
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"I always felt Xabi would manage Liverpool at some stage," Carragher said. "Now, I think once you manage one of Liverpool's rivals, as Chelsea are, I think it makes it a little bit more difficult.
"I don't see how you go from Chelsea to Liverpool, maybe a bit down the road, but I think it makes it more difficult. But he has to do what's best for him right now, and I think there will be Liverpool supporters right now looking at that situation thinking, 'That's the one we want.'"
Appearing on Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool defender also suggested Alonso would pick his former club ahead of Chelsea, were that choice to present itself.
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher has weighed in on Alonso's next move(Image: Sky Sports)
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"I think he would love to manage Liverpool one day, I'm sure he would, but Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in European football right now," he said.
"There will be a feeling from a lot of Liverpool supporters that Xabi Alonso's there and, if we want him, I think he would come to us because there is history with the club, but it looks like the club have made their decision on Slot.
"What tells you they've made their decision on Slot is that there's talks between Xabi Alonso and Chelsea. If there was an inkling that Liverpool were interested in him or that they were gonna change the manager, I think he would go to Liverpool."
Mo Salah backed by Joe Cole
Former Liverpool player Joe Cole believes Salah was justified in demanding that standards must be maintained at Anfield following his departure from the club this summer. The winger's remarks were seen by some as a critique of the existing culture at L4.
Arne Slot pushed back on the comments before Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Cole told Paddy Power: "Salah is well within his rights to have an opinion on the team. He's been there for so long. Mo's a good guy, I'm sure his comments were coming from a good place to help Liverpool.
"Sometimes when players say things it can come from frustration with the manager. Things aren't going well for him on the pitch for the first time in a decade, he's been that good a player.
Mo Salah waves and smiles
Mo Salah will leave Anfield this summer(Image: Getty Images)
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"But I think he's correct. It looks like there aren't the same personalities in the team as they once had [to set those standards] and that needs to be addressed in the summer.
"You need to look at this whole season in context of everything that has happened on and off the pitch. From the dreadful Diogo Jota situation, [Alexander] Isak's saga in the summer and his injury, Hugo Ekitike's injury and also Mo Salah's dip in form. They need to start next season by drilling down on the culture and getting back to what Liverpool are as a club."
Salah stressed that Liverpool would require individuals capable of upholding the club's exacting standards once he moves on, telling Sky Sports: "I just want to have that standard at the club because it is very, very important for people to keep winning things. This is one of the main concerns for me."
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