Champions League Hopes Fade and Alonso’s Availability Intensifies Pressure on Under-Fire Manager
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is facing a precarious battle to retain his job at Anfield, as club owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) reportedly accelerate plans to find his replacement, with former star Xabi Alonso emerging as the top contender.
The report follows a season of steep decline for the Reds. After a fairytale debut campaign that delivered the club’s 20th league title, Slot’s second year has been marred by a dramatic loss of form and growing fan discontent. The discontent boiled over on Saturday when the Anfield crowd booed the team off following a 1-1 draw with Burnley, a result that extended a frustrating run to four consecutive draws and severely dented hopes of Champions League qualification.
While the club’s summer transfer overhaul, which saw over £400 million spent on new signings who have largely struggled, is acknowledged as a mitigating factor, criticism has also been directed at Slot’s tactical approach. Supporters have grown weary of what they perceive as a dull and ineffective style of play.
The situation is now complicated by the sudden availability of Xabi Alonso. The former Liverpool midfielder, who was a leading candidate to succeed Jürgen Klopp before choosing to stay in Germany last year, was recently dismissed by Real Madrid after a short and troubled tenure. Despite this, his reputation remains high within the game, and reports from Spain suggest he is Liverpool’s “top priority” and is “ready” to take the helm.
An insider claim on social media added to the sense of crisis, stating that Slot has been informed that securing a top-four finish alone will not be enough to save his job, and that the club demands a clear improvement in tactics and style.
However, not all reports signal an imminent exit. Respected Liverpool journalist James Pearce of The Athletic insists Slot still retains the backing of FSG, who are not planning a mid-season change. Yet Pearce also acknowledged that Alonso’s newfound availability has removed a major obstacle for those calling for change, leaving Slot in a race against time to rebuild momentum and reconnect with a disillusioned fanbase.
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