Liverpool owners FSG have already made a private decision on appointing Xabi Alonso as the club's next manager after Arne Slot, according to journalist Paul Joyce.
Liverpool's underwhelming defence of their Premier League title has peaked in recent weeks, with the club taking just one point from the last nine available in the top flight.
That run has included losses at bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton and Hove Albion last time out, with their solitary point coming at home to Tottenham Hotspur - the only point Igor Tudor managed in 44 days as Spurs manager before he departed by mutual consent this week.
While Liverpool remain in the FA Cup and Champions League, albeit they face Manchester City and the holders Paris Saint-Germain next in those two competitions, their Premier League season is in danger of fizzling out.
The Red lie five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa with seven matches left to play, although it is likely that a top-five finish will be enough for Champions League qualification.
What is more alarming is that less than 12 months after winning the Premier League, they are 21 points behind leaders Arsenal at the beginning of April.
FSG Make Xabi Alonso to Liverpool Decision
Xabi Alonso
As the pressure mounts on Slot with a disappointing season following on from a huge 2025 summer spend in the transfer market, the external view is that Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso is next in line for the job.
The Spaniard has been out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid in January, and has long been linked with a switch to Anfield following his success with Bayer Leverkusen previously.
However, according to Joyce, FSG internally don't necessarily believe that Alonso is the right fit for the club.
They already decided not to pursue former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as Jurgen Klopp's successor previously because of his preference to play with a back three, something which Alonso likes to do.
Who are the Frontrunners to be Next Liverpool Manager?
Arne Slot
FSG appear to be fully behind Slot as things stand and want him to emerge from a turbulent season that started with the devastating passing of Diogo Jota.
Should the season end badly and they decide to change their stance however, there are a number of managers who will be viewed as frontrunners for the job.
Alonso remains the favourite for the Anfield job, probably due to his Liverpool links and the fact he is available now, but there are other big names who could be in the running too.
PSG boss Luis Enrique has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, but he could also soon commit his future to the Ligue 1 giants following his huge success at the Parc des Princes.
As usual, Jurgen Klopp and Steven Gerrard will both be linked with returns to Merseyside, while Julian Nagelsmann could be an interesting option if he leaves Germany following the conclusion of the World Cup.
Aside from those names, you'd be looking at managers who have impressed at smaller clubs, like Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola, who are both out of contract this summer.