Liverpool Transfer Rumours are Heating Up: Is a Manager Change Imminent?

If you have ever wondered why the January transfer window is so exciting and why football fans are crazy about it, look no further than what has been going on in the last few days. Not only are Liverpool being linked with names who would certainly elevate the squad’s multiple title dreams this season, but it is now being rumoured) that a managerial change could also happen.

Is Arne Slot’s seat becoming hotter and hotter? To be out of the Premier League title race by January is not ideal, as fans have become used to going the distance in recent years. His position had seemed firmer just a week ago – what changed, and who could potentially be coming? 

Following Barcelona’s 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup final, Xabi Alonso was removed from his position in charge of Los Blancos. There were rumours of his sacking before the game, and many fans dreaded the possiblity of that news if they were to lose.

Missing out on that trophy is not that big of a deal compared to others, but doing so in the El Clásico, especially now that Madridistas are habitually losing to their biggest rivals at Blaugrana? It is never tolerated in the Spanish capital, so the board decided to act. 

Could Liverpool be Alonso’s Next Destination?

Real Madrid said that a ‘mutual agreement’ with their former player and recent manager was reached, with reserve team boss and former Los Blancos right-back Alvaro Arbeloa already taking over.

Within a day of his exit from the Bernabeu, Alonso has been linked with two big possible moves to the Premier League – Manchester United and Liverpool. There is a long-term vacancy at Old Trafford after Ruben Amorim was sacked, but Michael Carrick has been installed as interim head coach for the rest of the season.

Does that duly mean Slot’s position is in danger? Is anyone calling it into question? Some supporters have, but talk of his potential sacking has died down of late. The ongoing run of 11 unbeaten matches has solidified his employment status for at least a little while.

Nonetheless, Alonso proved he is a great manager during his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, where he delivered the best season in the history of the club by winning an unbeaten domestic double. While his dream job at Real Madrid job ended prematurely, the Spaniard also spent a while with Liverpool as a player and has strong ties to Anfield. As a matter of fact, some of the top UK bookmakers have him placed high up in the odds to take over from Slot. 

A Bad Run Could Prove Fateful for Arne Slot

Liverpool have turned a corner since their woeful autumn, but they are firmly stuck in fourth place in the Premier League with 35 points, eight behind Aston Villa and Man City and a further six adrift of Arsenal, and with a miserable +4 goal difference.

Scoring has been an issue, with the likes of Alexander Isak and Mo Salah being missed. A home game against Burnley and a trip to Bournemouth are their next two league clashes on 17 and 24 January respectively, and Slot will have to keep delivering results if he’s to make it to the end of the season as Reds boss.

The situation is similar in the Champions League, with Liverpool currently ninth following four wins and two defeats. A return of 12 points from six matches is not ideal, but it is serviceable for now. Hopes of silverware this season haven’t disappeared completely, but it’s increasingly hard to envisage.

Could Alonso bring what the Reds need in order to make a strong push in the second half of the season? Having turned Leverkusen from relegation zone dwellers to domestic double winners, imagine what he could do if he got a sustained chance with a Premier League giant? 

In uncertain times, when Liverpool are being linked with Marc Guehi and others, a managerial change does not seem plausible, although that’s not to say that hiring Alonso would be a bad move. On the contrary, maybe it is exactly what the club needs if a rebuild is required in the next year or two. 

Alonso’s Career With Liverpool

The now 44-year-old spent much of his prime years at Anfield, scoring more often for Liverpool than any other club he represented. In 210 Reds appearances across all competitions, he found the net 19 times.

From 2004 to 2009, he wore the shirt with distinction and was one of the most important names of the Rafael Benitez ea. He won several trophies, most notably the 2005 Champions League, as well as the UEFA Super Cup that year, and the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2006. 

As fans know, the Premier League title unfortunately eluded him and remains the only domestic league he did not win as a player, having done so with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Perhaps he could do it in the future as a manager?

He is still quite young for his profession, and a long and successful career may well be ahead of him, and many ex-players would love to coach the teams for whom they once played…

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