The story that has been simmering throughout the season is now moving closer to a conclusion. Xabi Alonso is the man Liverpool want as their next manager, and the indication from those closest to the 44-year-old is that he is prepared to say yes.
German outlet BILD has reported that Alonso's agent, Inaki Ibanez, has confirmed concrete enquiries from Liverpool. That is a significant development. It moves the story beyond speculation into something closer to a live negotiation. Michael Edwards, Liverpool's CEO, has reportedly maintained regular contact with Alonso since Jurgen Klopp's departure in 2024. Edwards had always wanted the Spaniard as Klopp's successor, and was only denied when Alonso chose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more season. Liverpool instead appointed Arne Slot, who won the Premier League in his first year. That honeymoon period is now over.
Alonso left Real Madrid in January after a short and difficult spell that ended with defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final. He has been without a club since and is not expected to return to management before the summer. His conditions for taking any job are clear: he wants significant control over squad planning. That was denied at the Bernabeu, and he has made it clear he will not walk into another situation where he has no say over recruitment.
Liverpool can offer him that. The club are going through significant change. Mohamed Salah is leaving as a free agent. Arne Slot is under enormous pressure with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League, five points off the top four with the season entering its final stretch. An Alonso appointment would reshape the entire project.
Reports citing OK Diario claim a verbal agreement for a three-year deal is already in place, though that has not been confirmed by reliable sources and Ornstein and the Daily Mail have both noted that no deal is agreed. What is clear is that Edwards has kept the line open, Alonso's agent has acknowledged Liverpool's interest, and the Spaniard himself has not moved to publicly close the door.
One intriguing subplot is the potential transfer knock-on effect. If Alonso comes, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, two players he worked with closely at Leverkusen, suddenly become more likely arrivals. Fichajes have also reported that Alonso's first transfer priority would be Real Madrid's Arda Guler, a player he developed during his brief time at the Bernabeu. Liverpool would need to move quickly given that Real have no intention of selling him.
