Xabi Alonso is 'one in waiting' for Liverpool as fans make their feelings clear

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Xabi Alonso is reportedly waiting in the wings to replace Arne Slot as Liverpool boss following the Reds ' embarrassing FA Cup quarterfinals exit to Manchester City

Xabi Alonso continues to be linked with replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Xabi Alonso is reportedly waiting to take over from Arne Slot at Anfield after Liverpool was embarrassingly dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester City.

In what has been a disastrous defense of their Premier League title, the Reds were resoundingly beaten 4-0 by Man City at the Etihad in the FA Cup quarterfinals, a game in which Slot's side crumbled. Following the defeat, Liverpool supporters made their feelings about the Dutchman known through chants referencing Alonso that went viral on social media.

"Xabi Alonso, Mohamed Sissoko, (Steven) Gerrard and (Javier) Mascherano... we've got the best midfield in the world," sang Liverpool fans as they left the Etihad.

And now it has been reported that Alonso is waiting to get over from Slot.

Football Insider's Keith Wyness claims the former Liverpool midfielder is waiting to take over from Slot, who he also claims is set to be fired at the end of the season.

"I know that there are two things that a lot of my Liverpool friends and contacts are certainly moaning about Arne Slot just now," Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast.

Xabi Alonso and Arne Slot faced off during the Champions League last season(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

"There’s been a real lack of belief. The Liverpool fan base, while they don’t want to go public with it, are certainly unhappy with the way the team’s been playing and performing.

"And Xabi Alonso, from my point of view and my contacts in Spain are saying that, yes, he would be the one in waiting to come back."

While Alonso's time with Real Madrid was brief after he was fired in January earlier this year, the 44-year-old is one of Europe's most in-demand coaches, thanks to his time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the club to the Bundesliga title during the 2023/24 season.

He was heavily linked to the Anfield job following Jurgen Klopp's announcement that he would be stepping down as Liverpool boss at the end of that season, only for him to rule himself out of the running for the role in favor of remaining with Leverkusen for another year.

But a year later, he was announced as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement as Real Madrid boss.

But while Alonso would certainly be the frontrunner for the Liverpool job should Slot be fired, it is still not a guarantee the former departs Anfield this season, especially with the Reds still in the Champions League.

However, a heavy defeat to PSG and the failure to qualify for next season's Champions League could lead Liverpool to move on from Slot.