Jamie Redknapp admits he can see the attraction with Xabi Alonso and Liverpool fans as Arne Slot's position at Liverpool comes under pressure
Will Jenkins
11:56, 16 May 2026
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp ahead of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 10, 2022 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Jamie Redknapp has labelled Xabi Alonso a "massive elephant in the room"(Image: GETTY)
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes it will be hard for FSG to ignore the "massive elephant in the room" with Xabi Alonso as Arne Slot continues to come under scrutiny this season.
Liverpool's 4-2 defeat at Villa Park on Friday night piled further pressure on Slot and the Liverpool owners. Many pundits and fans are calling for the Dutchman to be sacked this summer.
Despite winning the Premier League in his first season at Anfield, Slot's second season has been disappointing. The club placed high expectations on themselves after spending £446m in the summer transfer window. Unfortunately for Slot, many of his new signings have struggled to meet those expectations, whether due to injuries or performances on the pitch.
READ MORE: Ex-Liverpool star demands FSG fires Arne Slot after 'horrendous' Aston Villa defeatREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher spotted Liverpool issue on first game of season as pressure ramps on Arne Slot
FSG now have a big decision to make regarding the manager's position. Although they appear to be sticking with Slot for now, if the 47-year-old fails to qualify for the Champions League, available managers like fan favourite Xabi Alonso may begin to look more enticing. Redknapp understands the attraction fans have towards Alonso, but remains undecided on whether Slot deserves another year.
He said on Sky Sports: "What I'm seeing this year is what I expected to happen last year. I thought Liverpool would have a difficult time after losing Jurgen Klopp, because he was such a talismanic manager and influential on everything.
Arne Slot has one game remaining to qualify for the Champions League
Arne Slot has one game remaining to qualify for the Champions League(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"But it didn't happen. They won the league. This year there has been such a drop-off. There are so many reasons behind it, so many mitigating circumstances at the start of the season, and I don't want to make excuses for the players.
"Because that isn't good enough, what we've seen this year and what they've served up, the energy.
"But Alexander Isak was signed for big money, got injured, starts getting fit, gets injured again. Hugo Ekitike has had an up and down start. You can't address problems when you haven't had the best players fit. It's hard to address a problem when you haven't got Isak and [Florian] Wirtz.
"A lot of this is on Arne Slot. If they don't get Champions League football he will be under certain pressure. There will be question marks.
"But you see it, hear it - a lot of people are moving away from him being their manager next year. I really struggle with that. Because when you've won the league the year before and you get rid of the manager the year after, that doesn't sit too well with me.
"Obviously the massive elephant in the room is Xabi Alonso. A lot of fans in the room are seduced by that idea, he did a great job at Leverkusen and he's an elite manager. I can see the attraction.
Xabi Alonso has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea
Xabi Alonso has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea(Image: FADEL SENNA, AFP via Getty Images)
"But there's a part of me that thinks Slot deserves another year because of winning the Premier League title. I expect better next year. I expect a better version of Wirtz, I see a better version of Liverpool once Isak is fit. Ekitike is a while off, they need a new right-back and they need more energy in the team.
"But I feel uncomfortable getting rid of a manager after getting Champions League."
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FSG may decide to give Slot some leeway due to injuries having a big effect on the team, with players like Alexander Isak suffering a challenging start to the season and Hugo Ekitike now ruled out until next season.
If the Liverpool owners are to change their minds, they may need to act quickly, as Chelsea are reportedly close to naming Alonso as their new manager.