Alonso Eyes Liverpool Return as Slot's Future Grows Increasingly Uncertain

Xabi Alonso is gearing up for a return to the dugout come summer, with Liverpool actively exploring the possibility of moving on from Arne Slot and bringing in the former Real Madrid boss as his replacement.

Slot finds himself under mounting pressure at Anfield following Liverpool's failure to retain their Premier League crown. Despite the club investing over £440million in new recruits last summer, only Hugo Ekitike has truly justified the expenditure. The weekend's shock 2-1 reversal at Brighton has intensified the scrutiny, with some observers already questioning whether the Dutch manager is the right fit for the job.

Liverpool currently sit fifth in the table, a precarious position given the threat posed by Chelsea, Brentford and Everton snapping at their heels. More concerning for Slot is the possibility of finishing the campaign empty-handed and outside the Champions League qualification spots—a scenario that could prove terminal to his tenure.

Behind the scenes at Anfield, internal discussions have moved up a gear regarding the club's direction and whether Slot remains the solution. The manager faces serious scrutiny from the hierarchy, with his job security increasingly dependent on delivering a top-four finish and silverware.

Alonso, sacked by Real Madrid in January, is widely expected to return to management this summer. The 44-year-old has emerged as Liverpool's prime target, with the Spanish tactician firmly installed as the favourite to take the helm should Slot depart. Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are also on the club's radar, but Alonso holds pole position.

Reports from Spain suggest advanced negotiations are already underway between Alonso and Liverpool's decision-makers. One key attraction for the Reds is Alonso's established relationship with Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong—both players flourished under his management during his successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen and could potentially be targets for future recruitment.

Beyond tactical credentials, Liverpool's hierarchy recognise that Alonso would command immediate respect and affection from the fanbase. His playing career at the club, which included Champions League and FA Cup glory, would provide a symbolic connection that could help unite supporters during a period of transition.

Slot has generally enjoyed backing from the Anfield crowd, though recent performances—particularly defeats to Galatasaray, Tottenham and Brighton—have worn patience thin, even if social media noise doesn't always reflect the broader mood among supporters.