Game over for Arne Slot as Liverpool get Xabi Alonso green light | OneFootball

These are difficult days for Arne Slot.

The Liverpool head coach is reeling from a sequence of only four wins in 12 Premier League games stretching back to the start of 2026.

It’s a far cry from last season when the 47-year-old won the Premier League title in his first campaign in charge. The Reds have slumped to a fight for fifth place during his second season at the helm - struggling for any sort of consistency or identity.

The Anfield club risk elimination from the Champions League round of 16 meanwhile - facing Galatasaray at Anfield on Wednesday night having lost the first leg 1-0.

Slot is under contract until 2027 but it may well be tempting for FSG to cut him loose before the end of his deal if objectives are not met.

Liverpool really need to re-qualify for the Champions League - either with a top-five finish or else winning the trophy outright. His only other shot at silverware will be in the FA Cup - where Manchester City lie in wait in a very difficult quarter-final.

Xabi Alonso named as No1 candidate to take over

Liverpool will no doubt have a dossier on potential replacements for Slot should he leave - with Xabi Alonso now being named as the top target to take over from Slot.

“I imagine he would probably take the job and I’m sure he would be a contender if they chose to let Slot go,” Adam Crafton said on The Athletic FC podcast.

Alonso, 44, was under consideration by Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp decided to leave back in 2024. The Spaniard opted to remain with Bayer Leverkusen - who he led to the German league and cup double in an unbeaten 2023/24 season.