Liverpool schedule crisis talks: Xabi Alonso in line to replace sacked Slot

Robin Bairner

22 Mar 2026 07:58 GMT
3 min read

Arne Slot, Xabi Alonso, Liverpool — © IMAGO

Liverpool are poised to hold crisis talks in the coming week with the aim of having Xabi Alonso replace Arne Slot at the helm of the Anfield club.

Article continues under the video

The Dutchman has come under increasing pressure following the Reds’ 2-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday, which dealt a major blow to their prospects of achieving Champions League qualification via their league finish.

Slot blamed injuries for his side failing to build on their impressive 4-0 European win over Galatasaray, pinpointing the absence of Mohamed Salah, Alisson and an early blow that saw Hugo Ekitike limp off to be replaced by Curtis Jones.

Slot on the brink at Liverpool

With the Anfield club fifth in the Premier League table after a record spend last summer, it appears that Slot’s excuses have fallen on deaf ears at boardroom level.

Liverpool are, according to Indykaila, preparing major discussions this week that could see the end of the manager’s near two-season reign. In his place, former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has been lined up.

The account claims: “We understand that Liverpool's owners and football operations team will meet on Tuesday to discuss the crisis at the club.

“Liverpool will ask Xabi Alonso once again whether he is willing to cut short his break from football to manage the club and replace Arne Slot.

“There are mixed views on bringing Steven Gerrard in as temporary manager until the summer, and it will require convincing certain officials at the club.”

Slot: Our position is unacceptable

Slot accepts that he is under pressure and Liverpool’s situation is “not good enough”.

Speaking after the Brighton loss, he said: “It makes complete sense if you win the league last season and you spent £450m that the expectations are high, and those expectations were high for the pundits, for the media, for me, for the fans.

“At our club we're also looking at the situation and the challenge we had during this season, and then we might be a bit more realistic [about] why the season has gone why it is gone.

“But still it's not good enough no matter how much excuses I can come up with - it's still not good enough for the position we're in right now.”

Is change coming?

With Alonso and Gerrard both currently out of work and therefore able to arrive at Anfield to inject the kind of electric shock the board appears to feel is required, the pressure on the Dutchman is doubled.

Liverpool don’t have the reputation as a club that loses patience with its managers easily, but in light of last summer’s spending and the importance of Champions League qualification next term, the board’s concern is understandable.

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store