Liverpool have reportedly taken their interest in Xabi Alonso to the next level, making direct contact with Real Madrid to gather intelligence on the former midfielder's coaching credentials. According to Spanish outlet AS.com, the Premier League club's admiration for Alonso has evolved into serious due diligence as pressure mounts on current boss Arne Slot.
The Reds are enduring a turbulent campaign despite pouring over €450 million into squad reinforcements across recent transfer windows. The return on that investment has fallen well short of expectations, and Slot's position is no longer viewed as untouchable within football circles. With the heat turning up at Anfield, Liverpool's hierarchy are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a potential successor.
Per the report, Liverpool have "called Valdebebas to try and clear things up" regarding Alonso's previous spell working within the Real Madrid structure. The club is conducting extensive background checks before making any decisive move about the managerial future. This level of preparation signals a club determined to get it right after a rocky period.
It's hardly surprising that Alonso remains high on Liverpool's list. Few figures bridge the emotional connection between club and supporter base quite like the Spaniard. He remains one of the most admired midfielders of the modern Liverpool era and has steadily built a reputation as one of Europe's most promising coaches. His tactical acumen and leadership qualities have made him a hot commodity in the managerial market.
One intriguing aspect of the report is Real Madrid's willingness to engage in conversations with Liverpool despite recent tensions between the clubs. The fallout surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold speculation had complicated relations in some quarters, yet communication channels appear very much open. It seems both clubs are prioritizing business over past friction.
The report states Liverpool sought "a kind of letter of recommendation from the business world." That line alone reveals the seriousness of their approach. This is not idle gossip or opportunistic speculation—it reflects a club attempting to minimize risk before making a potentially defining appointment. For a team with Liverpool's history and ambitions, the next managerial decision could shape the club's trajectory for years to come.
Real Madrid's perspective on Alonso carries significant weight. He left the Spanish giants in January 2016 and has since climbed rapidly through the coaching ranks, impressing at every stop. If Los Blancos give him their seal of approval, it could be the final piece Liverpool need to pull the trigger on a move that would electrify the Anfield faithful.