Alonso Emerges as Genuine Contender for Liverpool Job as Slot's Future Hangs in Balance

Xabi Alonso is now firmly in the frame to take over at Liverpool, with sources suggesting a genuine possibility exists that the Spaniard could replace Arne Slot come summer, particularly after the Dutch manager indicated he would consider resigning if Liverpool made the right offer.

It's been a torrid campaign for the Reds. A 4-0 humbling at the hands of Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final this past weekend has cranked up the heat considerably on Slot, whose maiden season brought Premier League glory before everything went pear-shaped. The club now finds itself fifth in the table and staring down the barrel of Champions League football slipping through their fingers.

Slot's position is under active review at Anfield, with the manager having signalled his openness to stepping down should the club present him with an appropriate severance arrangement. Enter Alonso, who was relieved of his duties at Real Madrid earlier this year and is gearing up for a managerial return this summer.

Though direct negotiations haven't materialised just yet, the indication is that mutual interest exists between the parties. "Slot is fully aware that Alonso's presence on the market adds an extra layer of scrutiny to his position," sources report. The Spanish boss's availability has clearly not gone unnoticed at Anfield, even if talks remain in the shadows for now.

Liverpool face a race against the clock, however. Alonso is proving a popular commodity. Manchester City are keeping tabs on proceedings—particularly with uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola's long-term future—while Chelsea are equally attentive to developments.

The prospect of Steven Gerrard stepping in as interim manager has been mooted, though that scenario now appears to have receded into the background. The Liverpool legend, currently working as a pundit for TNT Sports, has made clear his availability should the right moment arrive.

"Listen, I'm more ready than I have been," Gerrard told talkSPORT when quizzed on a potential managerial comeback. "My family are back home at Liverpool, kids are all settled at school. I'm more ready than I have been; I'm all ears.

"But at the same time, I'm not chasing, I'm not searching, I'm not desperate. I'm in a good place, work-life balance is fantastic at the moment, but if the right opportunity comes, I'm all ears to listen to that.

"I'm having a fantastic time at TNT with Ally and the boys, and the girls, really enjoying it. I'm covering some good games, big games, I'm excited to take my little lad to watch the next Champions League games.

"I'm in a really good place, and I'm ready for opportunities. If not, I'm happy with my work-life balance, life's good, no complaints at all."