Xabi Alonso could be on his way back to Anfield, now with a clipboard in hand, and that says a lot about Liverpool’s turbulent moment. Recently dismissed by Real Madrid, the Spanish coach has already been approached by the Reds to take over next season, according to As. The initial contact was positive, lifted spirits behind the scenes at the English club, and laid bare an uncomfortable reality: Arne Slot is still in charge, but he’s walking on thin ice. Liverpool’s form has dipped, they’re nowhere near the Premier League title race, they’ve been knocked out of the League Cup, and they’re coming off a loss to Bournemouth.
Slot did win the league last season, that’s true, but the soccer on display in 2025/26 has been far from convincing, even after a massive €482 million spend last summer. The board has promised the Dutch coach will see out his contract through June, a call described internally as brave, but also risky. And while all that plays out, Liverpool are moving in parallel to secure a heavyweight Plan B.
Xabi Alonso emerges as the solution, with past, present, and allies
Xabi Alonso’s name didn’t come up by accident. He knows the club, the city, and the size of the pressure. As a player, he wore red from 2004 to 2009, winning a Champions League, an FA Cup, and the English Super Cup along the way. There’s an emotional connection, sure, but it goes beyond that. Respect for the former midfielder blends with admiration for the coach he’s become.
Even after leaving Real Madrid, Xabi remains highly valued on the market. Liverpool reached out to his camp and received what’s been described as an encouraging response. The Reds want to get ahead of things, figure out whether they can count on the Spaniard, and buy themselves time as they map out next season.
Another factor carries real weight: familiar faces. Florian Wirtz and Frimpong, key figures in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2023/24 title run, worked directly under Xabi and flourished with him. The chance to reunite with that duo at Anfield is seen as a genuine draw, both on the field and from a strategic standpoint.
Slot feels the heat, the club bets big, and the clock keeps ticking
Meanwhile, Arne Slot is living through some strange days. Officially backed, but clearly under pressure. Publicly, the message is continuity through the end of the season. Inside the club, it feels very different. Liverpool are trying to act before things get worse. Reaching out to Xabi Alonso is both a contingency plan and a warning sign. The club knows it can’t afford to repeat past mistakes and understands that getting ahead of decisions can be priceless.
Xabi, for his part, is intrigued by the interest. He knows he’d be welcomed back in England and sees Liverpool as a strong chance to reboot his career after the setback in Madrid.