Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Ciaran Morrison

Thu 21 May 2026 17:30, UK

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Liverpool’s decision not to hire Xabi Alonso could backfire after the Spaniard agreed a four-year deal to take charge of Chelsea.

That’s the view of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who believes there is “unhappiness” at Liverpool towards manager Arne Slot.

Alonso, who played for Liverpool during his career, had been linked with a move to Anfield to replace Slot after he was sacked by Real Madrid in January.

Instead, Alonso will take charge of Chelsea from next season whilst Slot is expected to remain Liverpool manager despite growing frustration over results and performances.

Mohamed Salah’s latest comments aimed at Slot, saying the club need to become a “heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear,” may have placed more pressure on Liverpool to make a managerial change this summer.

Liverpool fans ‘agree’ with Mohamed Salah comments towards Arne Slot

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Alonso would have been an “obvious” replacement for Slot.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that Liverpool fans can’t wait for the season to end.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It does seem that Liverpool dithered too long about Xavi Alonso.

“Now he’s gone to Chelsea. And Liverpool, that would have been the obvious one. Alonso was there for the taking and should they have made that decision.

“They waited, they dithered, and that could be something they’ll regret. Salah is being the voice of unhappiness. A lot of the fans will agree with him, and it will not be a happy end to the season for Liverpool, that’s for sure.

“Everybody already I’m talking to is looking back on this one and saying let’s forget about it as quickly as possible.”

Which club could Mohamed Salah join after Liverpool exit?

Salah has already confirmed that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, but the forward’s next club is still uncertain.

The 33-year-old was expected to move to Saudi Arabia, but the war in the Middle East may have halted those plans.

Sources have told Football Insider that Serie A rivals AC Milan and Roma are both preparing moves to sign Salah.

Before joining Liverpool, Salah had spells in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina, and he may have unfinished business their having not won Serie A during his time at either club.