Richard Hughes and Arne Slot show united front at Liverpool after Xabi Alonso update

Rumors linking Xabi Alonso with a return to Liverpool have taken a twist this week, but Richard Hughes and Arne Slot's show of solidarity would seem to make the Reds' stance clear

Xabi Alonso has been linked with a return to Liverpool by some reports(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot and Richard Hughes’ show of solidarity could not have come at a much more opportune time for Liverpool.

The past seven days have seen the Reds qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League, return to winning ways with an emphatic victory over Newcastle, and make their first major signing ahead of the summer with the addition of Jeremy Jacquet.

All is seemingly well then at Anfield, despite what has been, at times, a turbulent season on and off the pitch, with Slot’s position coming in for some serious questioning - not just from supporters and the media, but also from one or two club legends who hold more than a little sway on Merseyside.

Slot’s predicament has not been helped by the sudden availability of a certain Xabi Alonso. Speculation has been rife ever since the former midfielder was fired by Real Madrid that a return to Liverpool could be on the cards, with some reports even going as far as to suggest that talks have already been held about him replacing the current Reds boss.

The Alonso rumors have taken an interesting twist this week, with The Telegraph claiming that he will be on a three-man shortlist to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City amid fears that the former Barcelona boss might be about to call time on his 10-year spell at the Etihad.

Alonso taking over at City is not a new idea, and it is a concern that has been held by Liverpool fans for a while. It’s understandable then that, with the 44-year-old available and Slot not looking as secure in his job as he did 12 months ago, that there might be a clamor for the club to make a quick change.

Xabi Alonso has been linked with replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Seeing Slot and Hughes together in a new video released by the Reds on Tuesday though, in which they discuss all things Liverpool and, crucially, their working relationship, would seemingly dismiss any notion that a change is being sought.

"We have spoken almost on a daily basis since we started," Slot said. "You get to know each other even better.

"What I really like about working for a sporting director [like Richard] is that whenever I need him, he is there for me, but also you don't constantly feel the decisions he is making and that he is judging.

Richard Hughes and Arne Slot showed a united front in a new video released by Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC)

"Maybe he does, but he always finds a really good way of hiding that! You want to have the back-up if needed, but you don't want two eyes on top of you with every decision you make.

"I think Richard finds that balance really well for me to work in ideal circumstances."

"You have to have an opinion,” Hughes added. “There was an opinion that got Arne into the position that he is in, so you can't shy away from that. But once you have the right person and you believe in that person, the judgment is not something that is happening on a daily basis.

"You're working together to achieve something together. Did it help that we came in at the same time? Possibly. Probably. But it is more important that we had synergy right from the first moment.

"Understanding how he is as a manager, how he wants to work, and trying your best to put them in the best possible position to have all the tools that they require. That is what I feel my job is."

Any fans hoping to see Alonso in the Anfield dugout soon then look likely to be disappointed, and perhaps even more so if he does end up going to City. Liverpool is still firmly backing Slot, and there aren’t any signs of that changing soon.