Liverpool have not contacted Xabi Alonso despite some fans hoping he replaces Arne Slot, according to the Independent journalist Miguel Delaney.
He made the claim in his ‘Inside Football’ weekly newsletter on Friday, saying Liverpool think Slot is still a better manager for them due to data and other evidence.
However, the club’s supporters will disagree following an underwhelming campaign under the 47-year-old Dutchman.
Liverpool suffered a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa last night – their 12th Premier League loss of the season.
They have conceded 52 goals in 37 league games, their highest total ever in a 38-game Premier League campaign.
The Reds dropped to fifth in the table after the defeat and may need to defeat Brentford at Anfield next Sunday to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Bournemouth would pip them to fifth place if they win their remaining games against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest and Liverpool drop points against the Bees.
While Alonso will not be joining Liverpool, he is reportedly closing in on being appointed as Chelsea’s next permanent manager.
He won the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-24, going unbeaten in the league campaign before moving to Real Madrid, having won 89 of his 140 matches in charge.
The former midfielder won 24 of his 34 matches at Madrid, but has not done enough to impress the Reds’ decision-makers from the look of things.
Liverpool are expected to leave Slot in charge beyond this summer, and he must hit the ground running next season to boost his chances of holding on to his job.
