![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_ArneSlot-300x200.png\")
<\/p>\nLiverpool are continuing to back Arne Slot for now, but developments involving Xabi Alonso are quietly intensifying the pressure surrounding the situation.<\/p>\n
At Anfield, any dropped points invite scrutiny \u2014 even against the likes of Manchester City. While Slot can highlight positives from recent performances, the harsh reality is that more valuable points have slipped away.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Champions League qualification is now a genuine concern. Although Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards have shown no immediate desire to dismiss Slot, the risk of missing out on Europe\u2019s elite competition could ultimately force their hand if results continue to falter.<\/p>\n
The other significant factor is Alonso. Despite Liverpool\u2019s data-driven recruitment model, the widespread view is that the former Reds midfielder would be the leading candidate should a managerial change occur.<\/p>\n
Ironically, both Slot and Alonso have faced challenging campaigns. Alonso\u2019s spell at Real Madrid has not fully met expectations, but the club\u2019s reputation for impatience \u2014 under president Florentino Perez \u2014 has left one of Europe\u2019s most highly rated young coaches potentially available.<\/p>\n
Alonso\u2019s reputation remains strong, and he is expected to attract interest from any elite club considering a change in the dugout. Liverpool would undoubtedly appeal to him, with Anfield seen as one of the few destinations he would readily accept.<\/p>\n
However, Manchester City could also emerge as a contender. With uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola\u2019s long-term future \u2014 despite his contract running for another season \u2014 City are believed to be assessing potential successors. Alonso is reportedly on a shortlist alongside Enzo Maresca and Cesc Fabregas, and indications suggest he would be open to such an opportunity.<\/p>\n
Reports also claim Liverpool view Alonso as a prime option if they decide to part company with Slot. But the strong demand for his services significantly raises the stakes. Previously, the absence of an obvious successor offered Slot a degree of security. Now, the equation has shifted \u2014 a clear and highly attractive alternative exists, and he may not remain available for long.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Liverpool are continuing to back Arne Slot for now, but developments involving Xabi Alonso are quietly intensifying the pressure surrounding the situation. At Anfield, any dropped points invite scrutiny \u2014 even against the likes of Manchester City. While Slot can highlight positives from recent performances, the harsh reality is that more valuable points have slipped …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":58787,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_XabiAlonso.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=58786"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58789,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58786\/revisions\/58789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/58787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=58786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=58786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=58786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}