Xabi Alonso is willing to replace Arne Slot as Liverpool head coach, with the Dutchman facing increasing pressure at Anfield. The Premier League-winning manager is facing fresh scrutiny after Brighton inflicted a 10th league defeat of the season on the Reds, raising doubts over their Champions League qualification chances.
BILD Sport has claimed that Slot is facing the axe on Merseyside, almost 12 months on from their title win. The German outlet has suggested that the 47-year-old’s stint at Anfield is expected to end in the summer with former midfielder, Alonso, the front-runner to replace him. However, the ex-Real Madrid boss is said to want more control over squad planning if he was to return to management, months after being sacked by the Spanish giants in January.
Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League, five points off Aston Villa in fourth. The Reds do have the prospect of the extra qualification place providing a security net for Champions League qualification.
However, such as the inconsistent nature of the Reds’ form this season, teams below are smelling blood. While Chelsea, themselves, are in the process of heeding their downfall under Liam Rosenior, Brentford and Everton are just three points behind.
Slot has faced calls to be dismissed throughout Liverpool’s failed Premier League title defence. Some going as far as calling for iconic midfielder Steven Gerrard to steer the ship until the end of the season, to allow for Alonso to take over in the summer.
The Dutchman has been forced to endure significant mitigating factors during their troubles this season. Among them is the stop-start nature of Alexander Isak’s start to life at Anfield before being struck down with a broken leg against Tottenham Hotspur.
There have been problems within the squad with Mohamed Salah publicly lambasting the Dutchman following back-to-back games on the bench for the Reds. The fracture within the squad following the Egyptian’s outburst seemingly come to a head with his incendiary comments and yesterday, he confirmed he will be leaving the club in the summer.
Reports have suggested that Liverpool have been steadfast in their defence of Slot’s position. However, scrutiny continues to rage on with the latest reports from Germany suggesting that Alonso is primed to return under the correct circumstances.