Liverpool are said to favour Arne Slot over Xabi Alonso despite calls from fans to sack the Dutchman amid a poor run of form in the Premier League
Will Jenkins
11:11, 16 May 2026
Arne Slot of Liverpool and headcoach Xabi Alonso of Leverkusen after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Arne Slot and Xabi Alonso met in the Champions League last season(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool has reportedly not got in contact with Anfield legend Xabi Alonso over a managerial role, as they believe Arne Slot is still the right man for the job despite a record-breakingly poor season.
Usually, the term 'record-breaking' is a feat a manager would want to hear regarding performances in a season. However, for Liverpool head coach Slot, the records being broken are not ones he would have wanted attached to his name.
Slot's team have conceded the most goals ever by a Liverpool side in a 38-game season, with 52. That statistic could worsen, with the Reds still having one more match to play against Brentford next Sunday.
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The defeat against Aston Villa was Liverpool's 12th loss of the season. This puts them in the same boat as newly promoted sides Leeds United and Sunderland. The defending Premier League champions have also failed to win an away game against any of the top nine sides.
It is these records and statistics that have led some pundits and fans to call for FSG to sack Arne Slot, with Xabi Alonso available this summer to take over. However, the Liverpool owners do not appear to be budging, as Independent journalist Miguel Delaney has revealed.
Xabi Alonso left Real Madrid despite only losing six games
Xabi Alonso left Real Madrid despite only losing six games(Image: Diego Souto/Getty Images)
In his 'Inside Football' newsletter, Delaney reported that Liverpool has not approached Alonso because 'from both the data and other evidence, Slot is still a better manager for them.'
Alonso made a name for himself as a manager during his time with Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard rocked the Bundesliga by winning an unprecedented unbeaten domestic double in 2024, handing Leverkusen their first-ever German league title. This also stopped Bayern Munich from winning their 12th Bundesliga title in a row.
Following this success, Alonso joined Real Madrid where, despite having a 70% win rate in 34 games, he departed the club by mutual consent.
The former Liverpool player is now on the managerial market this summer and, with his proven success at top clubs, he is bound to be snapped up quickly.
However, FSG do not seem concerned by his availability and, instead, Premier League rivals Chelsea appear ready to make Alonso their manager.
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Although the Liverpool owners have backed Slot through the criticism, if the Dutchman fails to secure Champions League football this season, FSG could change their tone.
Failing to qualify for the Champions League would mean Liverpool miss out on a major influx of cash. This could put a firm dent in their summer plans, with the club reportedly set to bring in more players despite spending a record amount of money last summer.
With this in mind, Chelsea appear to be moving quickly to secure Alonso's services before the Liverpool owners get a chance to change their minds.
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Luis Enrique and Andoni Iraola have also been linked with Liverpool if Slot is to get the sack. Other rumoured names include Julian Nagelsmann, Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva.