Liverpool's Alonso Shopping List: From Impossible Olise Dream to Salah's Confirmed Exit

The pressure on Arne Slot has intensified as Xabi Alonso's availability looms large over Anfield. Liverpool's fanbase is increasingly restless with the Dutchman's football, and whispers of the former Reds midfielder—despite his Real Madrid disappointment—have only cranked up the tension.

Word from the boardroom suggests Alonso and Liverpool's hierarchy have been having rather un-secret chats, with the Spaniard apparently sketching out an ambitious blueprint: four fresh faces in, five shown the door. Some of these moves range from the laughably unlikely to the already done and dusted.

9) Michael Olise in

Here's where Premier League delusion reaches its peak. A generational talent doesn't abandon Bayern Munich mid-prime for England's top flight—not since Michael Ballack's free transfer to Chelsea in 2006, and he was 29. Olise, at 24, boasts 33 goals and 45 assists across 85 Bayern appearances. He's the seventh most valuable footballer alive and arguably the planet's finest right now. Even if Liverpool genuinely fancied him as Salah's successor, the fee would be astronomical—and besides, it's Real Madrid or bust for him.

8) Ryan Gravenberch out

The most eyebrow-raising name on Alonso's supposed disposal list. Gravenberch has hardly been dreadful this term, despite not hitting last season's stratospheric heights when everyone was eulogising over his midfield transformation.

7) Bradley Barcola in

PSG's 23-year-old left-winger has disappointed in front of goal occasionally, and Barcelona's Dro Fernandez's arrival at the Parc des Princes suggests the French club might entertain offers. Liverpool, presumably still smarting over flogging Luis Diaz to Bayern without proper replacement, could make noise for Barcola this summer.

6) Micky van de Ven in

Tottenham's £100m asking price might inadvertently convince everyone—Van de Ven included—that no player should be rotting away in Spurs colours at that valuation. Liverpool desperately need centre-back reinforcements, potentially three if Van de Ven is genuinely earmarked as Van Dijk's long-term successor.

5) Cody Gakpo out

The convenient scapegoat whilst bigger names have underperformed, Gakpo deserves sympathy. Yet his predictable cut-inside-and-shoot routine has worn thin, and Alonso would sensibly identify this as an area needing overhaul. Hughes could reasonably expect decent cash for shifting him.

4) Alexis Mac Allister out

A tricky one. He's been linked with exits previously and has endured a more notable dip than almost any Reds player this season—Salah and Van Dijk included. Yet he's precisely the midfielder Alonso covets, bearing similarities to his own playing style, and was more heavily connected with Real Madrid during Alonso's tenure there.

3) Adam Wharton in

Palace's 21-year-old will leave—they're the Premier League's most prolific sellers. Manchester City, Manchester United, or Liverpool appear his only realistic destinations. City supposedly prefer Elliot Anderson, leaving a straight fight between the Reds and United. Champions League football might favour the Red Devils, currently above Liverpool in the table, though reports claim Wharton has already indicated his preference for Merseyside.

2) Ibrahima Konate out

Liverpool's offered new terms, clearly anxious about defence reconstruction costs following their Marc Guehi blunder. Konate's been decidedly poor regardless, and he's made his exit intentions crystal clear, repeatedly rejecting contract extensions. Time to move on.

1) Mohamed Salah out

Salah's departure represents the only confirmed tick on Alonso's wish list. After a wretched spell before and after his public spat, his exit became inevitable months ago. Tuesday's announcement confirmed he'll leave on a free transfer this summer. One down, several to go.