Exclusive: Liverpool’s updated Arne Slot plan emerges after Xabi Alonso twist
Arne Slot will face “serious question marks” over his job at Liverpool if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, sources have told Football Insider.
The Liverpool hierarchy remain firmly behind the Dutchman at the moment, and expect him to stay in charge of the team until at least the end of the season, unless there is a clear downturn in the team’s fortunes.
Xabi Alonso has been linked with the Liverpool job after his recent departure from Real Madrid, but sources have indicated to Football Insider that his availability will not impact Slot’s position for now.
The former Reds midfielder is believed to have plenty of admirers across Europe, with several clubs eyeing the possibility of appointing him in the summer.
Liverpool face battle to cling on to fourth spot
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley last weekend, as they recorded their fourth consecutive stalemate in Premier League action.
That run of form has seen the chasing pack close the gap to the Reds, who currently occupy the all-important fourth Champions League place.
A top-four finish looks set to play a potentially pivotal role in deciding where Slot’s long-term future lies at the end of the season, and they are likely to have a fight to retain their position on their hands in the coming weeks.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away |
| 24 January | Bournemouth | A |
| 31 January | Newcastle | H |
| 8 February | Manchester City | H |
| 11 February | Sunderland | A |
| 21 February | Nottingham Forest | A |
The Merseysiders face a long trip to Bournemouth in their next league outing, before difficult clashes at home to Newcastle and Manchester City follow.
A midweek trip to high-flying Sunderland is then next on the agenda, to cap off a potentially awkward run for the reigning champions.
Fail to take a favourable points return from those games, and they could easily find themselves outside the top four and part of the chasing pack for the crucial stages of the campaign.
Xabi Alonso heavily linked with other Premier League job
Alonso has been heavily linked with the Tottenham job, as it looks increasingly likely that Thomas Frank will be sacked in the coming days.
The Spaniard has emerged as one of the leading candidates to step into his shoes in the eyes of the bookmakers, who feel that there is a strong chance that he could be set to take the reins at Spurs.
Alonso’s pedigree from his spells with Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen is sure to have him in contention for some of the biggest jobs in European football in the coming months.
His time at Liverpool during his playing career could ultimately tempt the Reds into making a move for him long-term, but for now, they have no intention of acting quickly to swap him for Slot.