Liverpool ‘make Xabi Alonso contact’ as chiefs reverse decision on Arne Slot | Football | Sport

Boos greeted the full-time whistle during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, as some fans made their opposition to Slot clear. Despite winning the Premier League last season, sections of the Liverpool fanbase have lost patience with the Dutchman and want to see Alonso ushered in as his replacement.

However, it’s claimed by Spanish outlet AS that Liverpool have reached out to figures at Real Madrid to try and decipher what happened during his time in charge of Los Blancos. It’s mooted Liverpool’s decision makers are having doubts about Alonso, and could opt to give Slot another season in charge as a result.

Alonso had been hired by Real Madrid in the summer, with the former Spain international having enjoyed a stellar stint in charge of Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. But just halfway through his first season as manager, Alonso was dismissed by Real Madrid amid claims of a disjointed dressing room.

The report claims that despite tensions surrounding the free transfer of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool still have a strong relationship with Real Madrid and would trust their advice. What’s more, it isn’t uncommon for clubs to do this, instead, it’s seen as the football equivalent of seeking a letter of recommendation from a past employer.

Liverpool would require an almighty collapse to miss out on qualification for the Champions League, but heading into their final two games of the season, a top-five finish isn’t secure yet. When asked about the boos post-match, Slot admitted there is work to do if he’s to get the Anfield crowd back on side.

He remarked: “Not this season, by the way. This season, they will have their opinion, and they will not change. But if we can have the summer that we are planning to have, then I’m 100 per cent convinced that we will be a different team next season than we are now.

“Different in terms of results, different in how things look. But it’s not always that simple, because sometimes you know what you have to do, but it’s not always possible to also get exactly what you want. But for us, for me, it’s really clear what we are lacking this season. And we are trying, because one of the things we are lacking is players who are fit. But the players that we have available now, I think, again, like last week, showed in the second half that they want to give everything and try to push.”