In the latest twist of managerial machinations at Anfield, Liverpool have reportedly made initial contact with former midfielder Xabi Alonso as the club contemplates replacing current manager, Arne Slot. The Dutchman’s position is under severe scrutiny despite an emphatic 3-0 midweek triumph over Marseille in the Champions League.
However, Saturday’s lacklustre 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth has exacerbated the pressure on Slot, whose side allowed a last-gasp winner after rallying from two goals down through efforts from Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai. This defeat leaves Liverpool precariously perched, with the potential to slip to ninth in the Premier League standings, should results go against them.
Slot, who initially impressed by clinching the Premier League title in his debut season, has since benefited from a substantial £400m investment in the squad. Nevertheless, the latest setback has prompted speculation about his future, with media outlets suggesting Liverpool might be compelled to make a managerial change sooner than anticipated.
Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that the Reds have reached out to Alonso, gauging his interest in taking the helm if Slot is dismissed. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid standout, who was recently relieved of managerial duties at the Bernabéu, is reportedly in a period of introspection, carefully considering his next steps.
The Anfield hierarchy is said to view Alonso as a viable candidate in both the immediate and long-term scenarios, particularly with Slot’s current backing from the board only extending until the season’s end. The club is keen to avoid unnecessary risks, and Alonso’s positive response offers a semblance of stability and a potential new direction for the storied Merseyside outfit.
In his defence, Slot cited the congested fixture list contributing to his team’s fatigue in the Bournemouth setback: “Frustrating, of course, conceding late on when there’s no time left to react. The Champions League test on Wednesday left us drained, and facing a high-energy side like Bournemouth with just two days of recovery isn’t ideal.”
He continued: “After levelling the scores, some of our players were visibly exhausted. It’s tough when you’re constantly deploying the same squad due to availability constraints.”
As the speculation intensifies, Liverpool supporters will be eagerly watching to see if the Kop legend Alonso will be handed the reins at Anfield.