Xabi Alonso in Advanced Liverpool Negotiations as Arne Slot Faces Imminent Sacking Following Brighton Defeat

Liverpool reportedly enters advanced talks with Xabi Alonso as manager Arne Slot faces a potential exit following a string of poor Premier League results.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 6:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

A Campaign of Stagnation and Defensive Fragility

The tenure of Arne Slot at Anfield has reached a volatile tipping point following a series of disappointing domestic results that have seen the club suffer ten league defeats this season. A recent loss to Brighton has intensified the scrutiny on the Dutch manager, whose side is currently clinging to fifth place while facing immense pressure from chasing rivals Chelsea, Brentford, and Everton. Despite the potential for silverware in the FA Cup and the ongoing Champions League campaign, the consistency required for elite-level competition has seemingly evaporated, leading to reports that the hierarchy may act during the current international break.

The Pursuit of a Returning Continental Champion

As the pressure on the current coaching staff mounts, Xabi Alonso has emerged as the primary candidate to lead a new era at the club. Reports from Spain suggest that Liverpool and the former Real Madrid head coach are already engaged in advanced discussions regarding a return to Merseyside. Alonso has reportedly expressed a strong desire to bypass a sabbatical year in favor of an immediate return to management, positioning himself as the elite tactical option the board believes can revitalize a squad that has struggled to adapt to the post-Klopp transition.

The Internal Debate Over Meticulous Recruitment

While external reports point toward an immediate change, voices close to the club, including Liverpool Echo reporter Paul Gorst, have characterized a mid-season appointment as a logistical "non-starter." The argument for continuity is rooted in the exhaustive sixty-page dossier that led to Slot’s initial hiring, a process that took nearly six months to conclude. Proponents of this view suggest that the club’s ownership prefers a meticulous, long-term approach over the "stop-gap" interim solutions seen at other major Premier League institutions, suggesting that a final judgment may be deferred until the season's conclusion.