Liverpool make first move over potential Xabi Alonso appointment

Liverpool find themselves in a position they know all too well, balancing present demands with long term planning. Even in an era of relative stability under Arne Slot, the club continue to think strategically, aware that elite football leaves little room for complacency. Success today does not remove the need for preparation tomorrow.

Slot, who delivered the Premier League title in his first season in 2024/25, remains central to Liverpool’s immediate plans. Yet top clubs rarely stop scanning the horizon, especially when a manager with pedigree, modern ideas and emotional ties to the club becomes available. That is exactly why Xabi Alonso’s name continues to circulate around Anfield.

According to reports from AS, Liverpool have made initial contact with Alonso regarding a future managerial role. From the club’s perspective, this is less about urgency and more about intelligence gathering. It reflects how elite organisations operate, always exploring options, always prepared for different scenarios.

Xabi Alonso and Active Rest

Alonso is currently taking time away from management after leaving Real Madrid following a Super Cup defeat to Barcelona. Rather than rushing into another high pressure role, he has chosen what he described as “active rest”.

This period is not a retreat from football but a strategic pause. Alonso views it as a chance to reset mentally after what was reportedly an exhausting spell in charge. Those close to him suggest he wants to return with renewed energy, clarity and commitment, rather than jumping into the next project out of momentum.

It fits a pattern seen throughout his career. In spring 2024, he rejected approaches from Bayern Munich and Liverpool, believing it was not the right moment. That patience has only strengthened his reputation as someone who values long term thinking over quick wins.

He remains confident that top level opportunities will return, and he is in no rush to decide his future.

Arne Slot and Stability at Anfield

For now, Liverpool remain firmly in the hands of Arne Slot. Despite heavy spending and inevitable scrutiny, the club are not planning any sudden changes. Slot is expected to complete the current season, and there is no suggestion that his position is under immediate threat.

From Liverpool’s perspective, contact with Alonso does not undermine their current manager. Instead, it reflects the reality of modern football, where succession planning happens quietly and constantly. Clubs at the highest level cannot afford to wait for uncertainty before acting.

Slot’s success has bought him credibility, time and authority. He has reshaped Liverpool’s tactical identity, kept them competitive domestically and in Europe, and maintained a strong connection with supporters.

That stability makes Liverpool’s interest in Alonso more theoretical than practical, at least for now.

Why Liverpool Still Watch Alonso

Emotion plays a role in this story. Alonso spent five years at Liverpool as a player, winning the Champions League and establishing himself as one of the most intelligent midfielders of his generation. A return to Anfield carries obvious appeal, both for the club and the man himself.

Liverpool’s hierarchy reportedly view Alonso as a potential option for the 2026/27 season. That timeline suits both sides. It gives Slot space to continue building his project, while allowing Alonso to recover, reflect and choose his next step carefully.

Discussions with Alonso’s representatives have been described as positive, but there is no sense of urgency or pressure. This is not a pursuit driven by crisis, but by foresight.

Liverpool are watching, Alonso is waiting, and both understand that timing matters more than temptation.

In elite football, the future rarely announces itself loudly. It develops quietly, through conversations, relationships and patience. This story is still unfolding, and for Liverpool, it remains a case of planning without panic.