The narrative surrounding Anfield has become decidedly negative in recent weeks.
Following last weekend’s disappointing 3-2 loss to arch-rivals Manchester United, Liverpool’s 2025-26 season has officially sped up even further.
This loss was their 11th defeat in the Premier League this season.
Manager Arne Slott is expected to remain in his job as long as he leads the Reds to a top-five finish and secures elite football in Europe, but there is no denying that the immense pressure is starting to mount.
Legendary striker and pundit Gary Lineker has added fuel to the fire by admitting he would not be genuinely surprised if the club made a ruthless managerial change by bringing in former midfield maestro Xabi Alonso this summer.
Arne Slott continues to struggle at Liverpool
Just 12 months ago, Slott was deemed untouchable after winning the Premier League title in style in his debut season in the Anfield dugout. However, this campaign has completely stalled.
The team has struggled to find his absolute best form after spending big on signings like Florian Wirtz, and a frustrating injury to striker Alexander Isak has severely hampered their attacking flow.
Lineker made no secret of his thoughts on the situation in the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
“Will Slott be around next season?” Mr Lineker asked Mr Shearer and Mr Richards.
“We’ve lost 11 games in the Premier League, but we’re still in the Champions League. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had Xabi Alonso next season.”
It is worth noting that Alonso is currently a high-profile free agent and has been out of work since parting ways with Real Madrid in January 2026.
He was initially heavily linked with the Liverpool job when manager Jurgen Klopp resigned, but chose to remain at Bayer Leverkusen and ultimately moved to Madrid in June 2025.
Alonso’s availability could put pressure on the slot.
Currently, Liverpool are mathematically incredibly close to achieving their main goal of the season.
They only need four more points from their remaining games against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford to fully guarantee qualification for next season’s Champions League.
There is no doubt that Slott has earned the right to try and resolve this current mess, but of course Alonso’s shadow will continue to loom large at Anfield.
If Liverpool do not do well in their last three games, the club’s ownership group may decide that bringing the former Champions League-winning midfielder back to his hometown is the perfect way to revive the club.
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