Xabi Alonso 'conditions' to become Liverpool manager emerge after Real Madrid lesson

Liverpool has no plans to sack Arne Slot despite 10 Premier League defeats this season, but reports claim Xabi Alonso would be willing to return to Anfield if offered the role with demands over squad planning.

Xabi Alonso continues to be linked with Liverpool(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)

Liverpool has no intention of dismissing head coach Arne Slot in the summer, but Xabi Alonso is prepared to step in if needed. The beleaguered Dutchman has had to reflect on their latest defeat, their 10th in the Premier League this season, but it's understood that the club's top brass remain supportive of him.

It has been reported that there are no plans to sack the 47 year old as there are several extenuating circumstances behind their unsuccessful title defence.

However, BILD Sport has reported that Alonso is open to a return to Anfield if an offer is extended, but the Spaniard doesn't want another negative experience like his brief stint with Real Madrid, and would insist on having more control over squad planning.

According to the German publication, communication has been kept up with the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid head coach, who has been unemployed since January when he was dismissed by Los Blancos.

But for Alonso to make a managerial comeback and return to Liverpool, his conditions would need to be met, which reportedly include having more input in squad planning, something that was denied prior to succeeding Carlo Ancelotti in the Spanish capital.

Liverpool currently find themselves five points adrift of the top four, a challenging position as they enter the second-to-last month of the season. There's a real risk that the Reds will fail to qualify for the premier European competition, which could significantly affect their transfer budget and appeal to potential signings.

There remains the safety net of fifth place, a position they currently occupy, but England would need to stay within the top two of the coefficient rankings to keep that option alive - something that presently appears highly probable.

Liverpool can still secure automatic qualification by winning the Champions League, should they finish outside the top four, but they must first overcome holders Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals and then either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid to reach Budapest.

Arne Slot is under pressure(Image: PA)

What is certain in the coming months is that Mohamed Salah will embark on his farewell tour. The Egyptian delivered the bombshell announcement on Tuesday evening that he will depart the Reds in the summer.

Reports indicate that the 33 year old will leave on a free transfer after reaching an agreement with Liverpool to terminate his two-year contract early.

Salah was central to Liverpool's contract saga during their Premier League-winning campaign. The distraction surrounding Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold - with the possibility of losing all three on free transfers - had threatened to undermine their season until the Egyptian rose to the occasion to propel Liverpool to the top.

The possibility of a move to the Saudi Pro League has long been present, since they made a substantial offer for the forward 12 months before his extension. Following the announcement, Saudi clubs are once again showing interest. According to the Independent, it's not just Salah they're after; sporting director Richard Hughes and chief executive of football, Michael Edwards, are also sought after.

It's been suggested that Saudi clubs are eyeing up these two key figures at Anfield for top roles in the Middle East. This news comes just a week after FSG relaxed their efforts to establish a multi-club profile, a project that was spearheaded by Edwards.