The sacking of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid has led to speculation that he could replace Arne Slot at Liverpool, amid fresh doubts about the Dutch coach, while the Reds are taking a major gamble after making a risky decision on Marc Guehi.<\/p>\n
Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title last season, and while that certainly mustn\u2019t be forgotten, the team\u2019s performance this term has been underwhelming to say the least.<\/p>\n
Liverpool<\/a> currently sit fourth in the league table, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, leaving their title defence almost certainly in ruins.<\/p>\n Slot has come under intense criticism amid Liverpool\u2019s recent poor form, and we have revealed how the club\u2019s hierarchy have begun looking at potential new managers<\/a>, in case they do decide to make a change.<\/p>\n Alonso, who was a force for Liverpool during his playing days, would almost certainly come under consideration should Slot be sacked, and fresh updates have emerged on that front.<\/p>\n But perhaps a more pressing matter is the saga surrounding Crystal Palace centre-back and captain Guehi, who remains a top target for Liverpool, after their failed move for him last summer.<\/p>\n Xabi Alonso latest, with Arne Slot\u2019s future \u2018uncertain\u2019<\/p>\n Reliable sources have told us that Slot<\/a> is \u2018not in any jeopardy at the moment\u2019, but as with any well-run club, Liverpool have contingency plans in place.<\/p>\n Alonso<\/a> was considered by the Reds prior to Slot\u2019s appointment and before he took the reins at Real Madrid \u2013 a stint that ultimately ended in disappointment.<\/p>\n Spanish outlet\u00a0AS\u00a0claim that Xabi Alonso is admired by three clubs<\/a> \u2013 Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich \u2013 and they \u2018won\u2019t hesitate to pursue him if the opportunity arises.\u2019<\/p>\n While all three clubs have managers, Slot\u2019s future is said to be the \u2018most uncertain.\u2019<\/p>\n Tottenham have also been linked with Alonso as pressure ramps up on Thomas Frank, though the report states it would be \u2018difficult\u2019 for them to \u2018convince Xabi\u2019.<\/p>\n Alonso may well be on Liverpool\u2019s radar, but pundit Simon Jordan believes that Slot must be given time to improve things at Anfield.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look at it and go, where does he [Alonso] go? Liverpool if Slot fails, but Slot\u2019s not going to fail. Slot\u2019s had a great first season,\u201d\u00a0Jordan said on\u00a0talkSPORT.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s having a little bit of a sabbatical in his second season like Jurgen Klopp did when he won the Premier League and people still idolise him. So give Slot a little bit of latitude here.\u201d<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/strong><\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Liverpool take Marc Guehi gamble<\/p>\n Meanwhile, our sources have confirmed that Liverpool have made a final decision on Palace star Guehi \u2013 they will NOT move for him in this month\u2019s transfer window.<\/a><\/p>\n The plan is to wait until next summer, when Guehi\u2019s Palace contract expires, and he\u2019ll therefore be available on a free transfer.<\/p>\n The 26-time capped England international remains at the top of the Reds\u2019 shortlist as they look to add a new centre-back, with Ibrahima Konate\u2019s future shrouded in doubt.<\/p>\n Guehi<\/a> was keen to join Liverpool last summer, when a \u00a335m deal was agreed with Palace, before the transfer collapsed.<\/p>\n However, he is now keeping his options open and Manchester City have exploded into the race with furious intent.<\/p>\n Unlike Liverpool, they\u00a0are\u00a0expected to submit a bid for Guehi this month, as they attempt to get ahead of the competition.<\/p>\n But as our transfer insiders Graeme Bailey and Dean Jones have both reported, Man City must match Palace\u2019s \u00a335m price tag to convince them to sell,\u00a0but also put in place the same deal he would get if he moved on a free transfer in the summer.<\/p>\n That means not only substantial wages, but a huge signing on deal and bonuses, that otherwise would not normally be connected with a January transfer.<\/p>\n Therefore, striking an agreement for Guehi is \u2018not easy\u2019, sources say, giving Liverpool hope that their gamble to wait could pay off.<\/p>\n Liverpool move for Juventus livewire hits dead end<\/strong><\/p>\n In other news, Liverpool have been linked with an eye-catching winter move for Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, but they are reportedly set to be left disappointed.<\/a><\/p>\n The 20-year-old has managed eight goals and eight assists in 26 appearances for Juve so far this term, while he won\u00a0Tuttosport\u2019s\u00a0Golden Boy Web award in December 2024.<\/p>\n Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all said to have registered varying levels of interest.<\/p>\n However, reports suggest that Yildiz<\/a> is set to agree a lucrative new contract with Juve, which will keep him at the club for the foreseeable future<\/p>\n