Xabi Alonso Set to Overhaul Liverpool: Wants Four New Players In and Five Stars Out if Appointed Manager

 

 

Xabi Alonso is reportedly ready to completely reshape Liverpool’s squad if he replaces Arne Slot as manager.

Liverpool’s recent 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth ended their 13-game unbeaten run and has intensified pressure on Slot, with the Reds now sixth in the Premier League and winless since their 2-1 victory over Wolves on December 27. Should Slot be dismissed, Alonso, the former Real Madrid manager and Liverpool legend, is widely expected to be the top candidate.

If appointed, Alonso is said to plan a major squad overhaul: bringing in four new stars while letting go of five current players. Since his surprise exit from Real Madrid in January after just seven months, rumors linking Alonso to Liverpool have grown, with many viewing a return to England as a chance for redemption.

Reports suggest Alonso’s transfer wishlist starts with Tottenham defender Micky Van de Ven, seen as a generational replacement for Virgil van Dijk. Next, he would target Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton to energize Liverpool’s midfield. Alonso is also reportedly eyeing a revamp of Liverpool’s attack, aiming to sign PSG’s Bradley Barcola and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.

To accommodate these arrivals, several current players could be sold. Centre-back Ibrahima Konate might leave as a free agent in the summer, while midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch—despite their key roles last season—could also be offloaded. Cody Gakpo is another candidate for departure, given his inconsistent performances under Slot.

Perhaps the most shocking move could be the potential sale of club legend Mohamed Salah, with Olise viewed as the ideal long-term replacement for the 33-year-old forward.