Former Reds team-mate could FINALLY bring Xabi Alonso to Liverpool | OneFootball

The pressure is beginning to mount on Arne Slot.

Liverpool’s head coach may have led his side to the Premier League title during his first season in charge but right now the Reds are a mess.

The 47-year-old Dutchman has seemingly got no answers to the club’s problems right now - with six defeats coming in their last seven Premier League matches.

Last weekend brought a new low - a 3-0 home defeat to a Nottingham Forest side previously tipped for relegation. The Anfield club are now 12th in the table with no impact having yet been made by £450m worth of new signings.

Signs of strain at Real Madrid

If no change comes soon then it’s not hard to imagine sporting director Richard Hughes and his FSG paymasters making a change. And event at Real Madrid could well hand Liverpool an ideal managerial replacement for Slot.

Xabi Alonso was well-liked inside Anfield when it came time to make a decision on Jurgen Klopp’s successor. But the Spaniard decided to remain one more season with Bayer Leverkusen - the club he led to unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal glory in 2024.

Alonso joined Real Madrid last summer - guiding Los Blancos to the top of the league. However there are signs of strain already between the former Liverpool midfielder and his Real players.

Arbeloa could replace Alonso

They have not won either of their last two LaLiga games - against lowly opposition - and there have also been damaging defeats to both Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

Reports of Alonso being SACKED have started to gather steam - with it being reported that certain Madrid stars are not happy under his management.

And of course if he becomes available Liverpool would not have to pay compensation to sign the Champions League winner. He would be able to come in straight away.

A report in Defensa Central has already suggested that a replacement is waiting in the wings and it’s ANOTHER former Liverpool and Real Madrid player.

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And Alonso could end up at Liverpool

Alvaro Arbeloa, 42, played nearly 100 times for the Reds between 2007 and 2009 before a successful transfer to Real Madrid. He is now establishing himself as an up-and-coming coaching prospect - currently in charge of the Real Madrid Castilla team.

“Right now there aren't many options, but the one that's being mentioned most frequently is Álvaro Arbeloa,” the report reads.

“The current Castilla coach is the leading candidate to take over the Real Madrid first team.”

However the report adds that Arbeloa and Alonso share a good relationship and the former right-back would not like to “betray” his ex-team-mate.

It also adds that Madrid are currently NOT considering replacing Alonso but there is no smoke without fire.

It will be very interesting to follow this tale - as we could see Arbeloa one day replace Alonso and Alonso come to Anfield in place of Slot.