Big Slot upgrade: Anfield "legend" sets sights on becoming new Liverpool boss

Liverpool's season is at risk of petering out, with Arne Slot's side trailing Galatasaray after the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie while meeting Manchester City away from home in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Add to that the harsh reality of Liverpool's Premier League title defence, sixth in the standings, 19 points behind leaders Arsenal and at risk of missing out on a ticket into Europe's elite club competition, and you've got a deeply concerning situation for Slot and co.

The Dutch coach completed a century of matches at the helm in Istanbul on Tuesday evening, and while he boasts one of the strongest records in the side's history, the defeats have doubled since Slot crossed the halfway mark, and it's putting his position at the helm at risk.

The latest on Slot's Liverpool future

FSG have shown no willingness to part with Slot before his contract expires. The former Feyenoord coach took on an impossible job in replacing Jurgen Klopp, but Liverpool's dominant football last season led to an easily-won Premier League title.

However, he's fast losing the credit in that bank, and Liverpool have failed to strike the right balance throughout the campaign, erratic and indecisive at times, laboured and slow at others.

According to TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool chiefs are determined to avoid a knee-jerk reaction and give Slot the benefit of the season before making a final decision on his future, which will be decided at the end-of-season review.

Bailey also underlines Liverpool's interest in unemployed coach Xabi Alonso, who is said to be eager to take on the role at Anfield after parting with Real Madrid midway through the season.

Liverpool are biding their time, but that is a strategy that comes with an element of risk. After all, Alonso is a premium manager, and a number of European outfits are sniffing around ahead of the new campaign.

Why Alonso would be an upgrade on Slot

Slot proved his credentials as an elite manager last season, and if things don't end up working in the long run at Liverpool, he is bound to find success with another elite outfit somewhere on the continent.

However, there's no question that the project has been sent in a spin, and Liverpool face a seismic decision in identifying their strategy before the summer transfer window opens.

Described as a "genius tactician" by Sky Sports' Felix Fischer, Alonso might not have succeeded with Los Blancos, but he won 24 of 34 matches at the helm and was dismissed due to numerous factors. Simply, it just didn't work out for the 44-year-old, who left with his reputation intact.

It's worth noting that Slot has beaten Alonso twice as a Liverpool manager in the Champions League, thrashing Bayer Leverkusen last season and then putting Real Madrid to the sword during this year's league phase.

But the Spanish coach proved during 2023/24 with Die Werkself that he is one of the most talented coaches in the world, actually described as a "club [Liverpool] legend" by the aformentioned Bailey. That year, his side - containing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong - won the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal as invincibles.

In a sense, Alonso would retain much of what Slot is trying to implement. Both managers share a love for ball-playing football, but Alonso's front-footed approach would add a bit more excitement.

Because there's no question that the Reds have gone stale this season, dominating the ball in the Premier League but struggling to fashion clear-cut chances and break down those pesky low blocks.

Alonso is an intelligent and adaptable manager, and while dismissing Slot would be a risk, there is no better coach on the market than the Spaniard, and he wants the Anfield job.

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