Named: Liverpool's alternative to Xabi Alonso if Arne Slot is sacked | OneFootball

Arne Slot’s position as Liverpool head coach is surely in danger.

Although the 47-year-old won the Premier League title in his first season in charge their title defence simply hasn’t gone to plan.

Rather than competing for the top prize the Reds are instead scrapping it out just for a place in the top five. Liverpool lost last time out against Brighton - their 10th loss of the league season which is an unwelcome milestone last reached a decade ago.

The Dutchman is under contract until 2027 but if there is no improvement soon then Richard Hughes could opt to make a change this summer instead.

Alonso tipped to take over

Xabi Alonso is widely seen as the No1 contender to replace Slot - given that he is out of work and has previously been on the Anfield watchlist.

But if for any reason the Spaniard cannot be attracted back to Merseyside then it looks like the club have a high-quality alternative in mind.

Sebastian Hoeness has been coach of Stuttgart since 2023 - rescuing the German giants from relegation in his first season and transforming them into Champions League contenders.

They currently sit third in the Bundesliga - behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund - and look a good bet for a return to European football’s top table next season.

Last season they finished second with Hoeness emerging as one of the top up-and-coming head coaches anywhere in the game.

VfB Stuttgart's Hoeness on the list

According to a report in Football Insider the German tactician is on the list for Liverpool - if not at the very top of it. But should anything go wrong in the expected appointment of Alonso then the Anfield side will be right there for his signature.

“Sebastian Hoeness is a contender to replace Arne Slot as Liverpool boss if the Dutchman is sacked by the Anfield club soon,” the report reads.

“Hoeness is liked by Liverpool as a potential contender to succeed Slot. He is not at the top of their list to replace the Dutchman.

“If Hoeness continues doing good things like he’s doing at Stuttgart, it’ll only be a matter of time before some of Europe’s top clubs are ready to take him.”

Hoeness has a great track record in developing players with the likes of Serhou Guirassy and Nick Woltemade all benefitting from his leadership.

He knows what it takes to get goals from his strikers - as evidenced once again this season by the form of Ermedin Demirović and especially Deniz Undav in front of goal this term.

That will be music to the ears of FSG - who are looking for more from Alexander Isak their record £125m acquisition.