Major update gives Liverpool significant Xabi Alonso boost
Liverpool have been given a Xabi Alonso boost. Will they actually take advantage of it, though?
It's unclear right now if Liverpool will move on from Arne Slot in the summer. The feeling appears to be that they won't, despite some truly awful form this season.
But the Reds look near-certain to qualify for the UEFA Champions League - something that looked unlikely just a few weeks ago. Liverpool haven't particularly found great form, however, and it's Chelsea's ridiculous collapse that's secured them a top-five spot.
And so as things stand, we imagine Slot will be kept in the role and given at least the start of next season. It's a risk - one that could cost them the clear replacement, Xabi Alonso.
Alonso is currently without a club but a strange Real Madrid contract made it unlikely that he'd join a new club this season. Still, Liverpool ignored calls to move for him, even when their form was in the toilet.
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It was an enormous risk and continues to be. Other clubs would love to hire Alonso and he's been linked with Manchester City as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola.
However, it now seems that City are heading in another direction. The Guardian reports that ex-Chelsea boss, and former Guardiola assistant, Enzo Maresca is the leading candidate.
That would remove City as Liverpool's biggest threat to Alonso. Because make no mistake - the Reds' best-case scenario is sticking with Slot but having their former midfielder available just in case they're made the wrong decision.
He's their safety net, in other words. It appears Alonso will be exactly that as there isn't another obvious club for him to join ahead of next season.
Liverpool, then, may end up having the best of both worlds with their biggest decision.
Xabi Alonso: Situation Summary
Real Madrid Tenure and Departure
As of 24 April 2026, Xabi Alonso is currently out of work following a tumultuous seven-month stint as Real Madrid manager. After arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in June 2025, Alonso was sacked in January 2026 after losing the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona. During his 34 matches in charge, he recorded 24 wins, four draws, and six defeats, leaving the club while they were second in La Liga. Despite a statistically decent record, his tenure was marred by deteriorating relationships with the squad, including public clashes with Vinícius Júnior and tactical disagreements that led to his exit by mutual consent.
Managerial Stats and Recent Links
Before his move to Madrid, Alonso’s stock was at an all-time high after leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic double in 2024. In the 2025/26 season at Madrid, his team scored 72 goals and kept 10 clean sheets, also reaching the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals. Since his dismissal, he has remained a high-priority target for several elite clubs. Reports from 23 April 2026 link him to the vacancy at Chelsea following Liam Rosenior's sacking, while persistent rumours of an agreement with Liverpool were recently downplayed by Sky Sports, who suggest Arne Slot will remain at Anfield.
Future Outlook
Alonso remains one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe. While he takes a break from the touchline, he is widely expected to return to management for the 2026/27 campaign. His next move is being closely monitored by several top-flight clubs looking for a tactical reset ahead of the post-World Cup season.
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