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- 47 minutes ago
Liverpool approach Xabi Alonso amid Arne Slot sack rumours
Cameron Smith
- 25 Jan 2026 11:55 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Liverpool have reportedly contacted Xabi Alonso amid rumours that he could be hired as a replacement for current head coach Arne Slot.
The 44-year-old left Real Madrid by mutual consent following their defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier this month and he is being actively courted by the Liverpool hierarchy.
Alonso was heavily linked with a return to Anfield before the appointment of Slot in 2024, but he opted to remain at Bayer Leverkusen for another season before joining Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor last summer.
However, his time in the Bernabeu dugout lasted just seven months, with the club deciding to part ways with their former midfielder in order to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as his replacement.
Alonso won 24 of his 34 matches in charge of Los Blancos, but he endured a fractious relationship with a number of players and this ultimately led to his exit on 12 January.
Given Liverpool’s historic interest in the Spaniard and the fact he used to play for the club, Alonso has been tipped to complete a move to Anfield later this year amid the Reds’ current struggles under Slot.
The reigning Premier League champions are 14 points behind runaway leaders Arsenal, despite having played one extra fixture, and Slot is under increasing pressure to fix their slump after a 3-2 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Liverpool officials have responded by contacting Alonso to gauge the possibility of whether he would be open to returning to the club.
That is according to Spanish outlet AS, who report that Liverpool have received a positive response from Alonso following their approach, although the 44-year-old is unlikely to rush into a final decision.
Xabi Alonso to replace Arne Slot
Slot was recently asked about the prospect of being replaced by Alonso in the Anfield dugout and Liverpool club captain Virgil van Dijk was eager to quash such rumours during a recent press appearance.
“That [question] was disrespectful," the Netherlands international said after Liverpool’s win over Marseille in midweek.
Current ETV
Virgil van Dijk
D (C)
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk
D (C)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€8.5M - €11.5M
“Criticism is justified if you look at what we are doing in the season, especially based on last season.
"It's been a difficult part of the season for us players and the manager as well but he has handled it well.”
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