Liverpool news as Xabi Alonso's demand revealed after Mohamed Salah 'mistake'

Mohamed Salah has announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season, while Xabi Alonso is reportedly prepared to accept the manager role with demands over squad control if approached by the club

Xabi Alonso has been touted as a potential replacement for Arne Slot at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

An entire generation of Liverpool supporters experienced profound heartbreak after Mohamed Salah announced his impending exit from the club at the end of the current campaign.

The footage, which opened with a montage of the 33-year-old's strikes throughout his nine-year spell at Anfield, left supporters reeling as they confronted the prospect of life without Salah operating down the right flank. His exit, nevertheless, hadn't arrived unexpectedly, considering his deal was set to run down next season, alongside his outburst directed at the club's leadership and Arne Slot last December, which cast doubt over his long-term future.

Without Salah next season, the club's ongoing transformation has encountered a fresh and substantial obstacle on top of the uncertainty surrounding Slot's tenure as head coach for the 2026/27 season.

Here, Liverpool.com rounds up the latest news from Anfield...

Alonso demand

Having stayed out of management since his departure from Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso is understood to be willing to take up the head coach position at Liverpool should an offer materialise for his services, according to BILD Sport.

However, any potential return to Merseyside for the former Liverpool figure won't hinge on sentiment or nostalgia with the Anfield supporters, but rather on the degree of autonomy he's afforded regarding squad development.

German media outlets suggest the Spaniard was refused more significant involvement in team planning at Madrid prior to taking the position, and it's a scenario he'll be keen to avoid should he replace Slot.

While Liverpool's summer transfer targets remain unclear, Alonso would undoubtedly welcome the prospect of reuniting with his ex-colleagues Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong in the iconic red shirt.

Salah mistake

Barely a year into his current contract, Salah has chosen to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

The choice to award him the fresh two-year deal during his remarkable 2024/25 season while guiding the Reds to Premier League glory drew fierce criticism from Jason Cundy.

Mohamed Salah was handed a new contract, while Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool after winding down his deal(Image: Getty Images)

The talkSPORT commentator attacked Liverpool's hierarchy and argued the substantial package given to the winger ought to have been presented to Trent Alexander-Arnold to prevent his departure to Real Madrid.

"All the Liverpool fans phoning up moaning about Trent, about what happened, they turned down £20 million ($26.7 million) from Real Madrid," Cundy said on the Sports Bar. "They gave Mo Salah a two-year contract on £400,000-a-week ($534,000), they gave the contract to the wrong player!

"They should have given that money to Trent, in his prime. So he's walked on a free, they've both walked on a free. So they give the money to Trent, and all the Liverpool fans moaning... they've put their eggs in the wrong basket, Liverpool.

"They've ballsed this right up, they should have given Trent, at the peak of his powers, give him what he wanted, sit down, do the deal, do the deal earlier, and let Salah go. Now all of a sudden, you find they've gone on a free... wow! I mean, that is a mess... that is an absolute mess."