Liverpool face new Xabi Alonso threat as Premier League rivals make move
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The club's former midfielder has been strongly linked to an Anfield return if Arne Slot leaves this summer, though Chelsea are now in the hunt for a new permanent head coach having sacked Liam Rosenior.Andoni Iraola, who is leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, quickly emerged as the top candidate. Since then, checks have also since been made on Alonso and Fulham boss Marco Silva, according to The Liverpool Echo's sister-title, football.london.The report states that he is firmly on Chelsea's radar, with the Spaniard having been out of the game since being sacked by Real Madrid in January.
Following the departure of Jurgen Klopp in 2024, Liverpool tried to appoint Alonso, but he remained at Bayer Leverkusen before joining Los Blancos.READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp gives honest assessment of Florian Wirtz's first season at LiverpoolREAD MORE: Yan Diomande 'ready for Liverpool' as Anthony Gordon transfer 'dream' outlinedBayern Munich, who Alonso also represented, are perhaps the only other club that could tempt him back into management, but Vincent Kompany is in the middle of a fine spell in charge.Manchester City could approach their former captain if Pep Guardiola leaves, but Enzo Maresca, who was replaced by Rosenior at Chelsea, is more likely to come in.A number of things would need to happen for that scenario to play out, while it could be an easy appointment for the reigning Premier League champions after talk of a Slot departure increased. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageHowever, three consecutive victories has seen the pressure on Slot's shoulders lessen, with Liverpool now in a great position to qualify for next season's Champions League and the manager most likely to be given another chance to build on his successful first campaign at Anfield.Victory over Manchester United this weekend will move Slot's side up to third and confirm their place in the competition for the 2026/27 season.A 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday was their latest triumph with it a welcome sight to see both Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz on target.An injury to Mohamed Salah somewhat marred the win with Slot's update after the game also far from positive.
We have to wait and see how his injury is and if he is able to return to play."What I do know about Mo is throughout all of these years he has taken such good care of his body that he will have the minimum time required to recover from an injury. Let's hope for the best and that he is available in the last part [of the season]."Alisson Becker missed the Palace victory which saw Freddie Woodman in goal but the Brazilian is eyeing a return from a hamstring injury for the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCXabi AlonsoArne SlotChelsea FCBarclay's Premier League