Liverpool start process to appoint Xabi Alonso

Liverpool have reportedly started the process of hiring Xabi Alonso to be their next head coach.

Arne Slot is under intense pressure at Liverpool and has been for months now. The sense that things aren't turning around, however, means that pressure is just growing and growing.

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That was certainly the feeling after Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds were second-best at home against a team on a historically bad run of form - and not for the first time this season.

With two games to go, time is rapidly running out for Slot to win fans back around. And he may need to win the club back around, too, as reports in Spain suggest they've moved forward on Xabi Alonso.

AS reports that Liverpool have contacted Real Madrid as part of due diligence before moving for Alonso. They want to know more about his time there and what went wrong.

Get the right messages back and Liverpool will feel a lot more comfortable about progressing for a deal with their former midfielder. Honestly, this one could move very quickly.

Xabi Alonso: Situation Summary

Real Madrid Appointment and Departure

As of 10 May 2026, Xabi Alonso is a free agent following a brief and turbulent tenure at Real Madrid. Appointed in June 2025 to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, Alonso lasted only seven months in the Spanish capital. Despite winning his first Clásico 2–1, his reign ended by mutual consent on 4 January 2026, shortly after a Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona. His departure was a catalyst for reported dressing room unrest, which recently culminated in a physical altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni in May.

Future and Liverpool Links

Alonso is now the "clear favourite" to return to Anfield. Reports from 10 May suggest Liverpool executives have reached out to Real Madrid to perform due diligence on his work at Valdebebas. Rumours persist that Alonso has already reached an "agreement" with FSG to replace Arne Slot this summer, allegedly identifying Anthony Gordon and Micky van de Ven as his primary transfer targets.