Liverpool’s admiration for Xabi Alonso is real, as is the prospect of seeing him replace Arne Slot this summer.
The Spaniard has been enjoying some time off after his Real Madrid exit earlier this season, but German media claim he’s now ready to step into the Liverpool job.
There is a growing feeling that Slot will be sacked at the end of the campaign, despite winning the title in his first season. That feeling is developing into something concrete, with BILD outlining the details of the imminent switch.
Just how bad do you want Arne Slot gone? 😬
A switch that would have already happened if not for Alonso’s unwillingness to take over at Anfield mid-season.
Xabi Alonso is ready to join Liverpool in the summer, not before
BILD reporter Axel Hesse has long been a reliable source for Alonso news since his days at Leverkusen.
He says Slot will be gone ‘no later than the summer’ after a tenth league defeat of the season, with his preferred successor Alonso waiting in the wings.
The theory is that this has long been the plan, but the Spaniard’s reluctance to join mid-season is what has kept Slot in the job.
Once the season ends, he’s ‘ready for Liverpool’.
Hesse adds that Michael Edwards wanted Alonso back in spring 2024, never lost contact after being turned down, and still sees Liverpool as one of the clubs best placed to land him.
BILD’s line is that Alonso would now say yes to a concrete Liverpool offer, but demands over squad planning and transfer influence would need to be accepted first.
Which players should Liverpool target to replace Mohamed Salah this summer? 🤔
A seven-man shortlist has already been reported:
- Desire Doue
- Bradley Barcola
- Nico Williams
- Yan Diomande
- Anthony Gordon
- Jarrod Bowen
- Michael Olise
This report flies in the face of the public stance FSG have taken with Slot, but it was always understood that results and the finish to the season would play a part.
You can take this information with a grain of salt, but the German outlet have a good track record of accuracy. If that is how it will play out, most Liverpool fans would see that as a win.
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