Liverpool may have broken all the spending records last summer in the transfer window, but their season has been nothing short of a disappointment to many.
After Arne Slot led the club to the Premier League title, the club splashed £450m on bringing in Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak, smashing the British transfer record twice in the process to bolster their squad.
But the Reds currently sit fifth in the table, just one point above Chelsea and battling to secure qualification to the Champions League for next season, while their chances of silverware are in the balance as they face Man City in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The performances of the team have led to a lot of criticism too, which has seen major speculation over the future of the Dutch coach, with plenty calling for the return of a familiar face to step into the dugout.
Liverpool View Alonso Deal as 'Now or Never'
xabi alonso real madrid-1
Xabi Alonso was strongly linked with the Liverpool post before Slot took over, having led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season to claim the title, while they lost just one game in all competitions all season to deny them of an unprecedented treble.
However, the Spaniard opted to stay in the Bundesliga for one more season, before joining Real Madrid last summer. But a relatively poor campaign saw the legendary former midfielder sacked in January, which has sparked speculation that he could return to Anfield amid Slot's issues.
A final decision on Slot's future hasn't been made yet by FSG and Liverpool chiefs, with the rest of the season likely to play a part, but while appearing on Anfield Index, journalist Lewis Steele admitted that the situation with Alonso will also play a part in their decision.
"This summer is viewed as a bit of a 'now or never' situation regarding appointing Xabi Alonso because he's going to take a new job," he said.
"Liverpool will be aware of that when they come to make their mind up on Arne Slot."
Should Liverpool Appoint Alonso?
Arne Slot and Xabi Alonso
Slot's future at the club looks bleak, mainly because the fans have seemingly lost faith in the man who won them their 20th league title less than 12 months ago.
Performances haven't been good, his decision-making has been strange, his comments in the press have been odd, and his excuses have been constant.
Alonso is a legend at the club and has shown that he is capable of building a squad capable of competing on all fronts, while also playing entertaining football. That's what fans want, and it's hard to see how Slot can still be in charge next season.