Rumors about Xabi Alonso potentially joining Liverpool are gaining traction.
The Spanish manager, who parted ways with Real Madrid in January after a brief stint, is now without a position and has no release clause attached, which brings Liverpool back into the frame.
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The Premier League champions were reportedly interested in bringing back their former midfielder to take over as head coach following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
However, Alonso initially chose to stay with Bayer Leverkusen after leading the team to an undefeated league and cup double in his first season.
He decided to stay at the BayArena for another season, which was less successful, before making the switch to the Spanish capital.
If he takes over at Anfield as Arne Slot’s successor this summer, he will reunite with two players from his time at B04 who are currently in need of his expertise.
Alonso Maximized Wirtz’s Potential
Florian Wirtz blossomed into a star under Alonso’s guidance at Leverkusen, netting 11 goals and providing 12 assists during their title-winning Bundesliga season.
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Last season, he registered 10 goals and 13 assists—significantly lower than his contributions under Alonso. Slot has struggled to bring out Wirtz’s best consistently, seeking solutions to justify his hefty £116m price tag.
This season was expected to serve as a bedding-in period for the German international, but with Mohamed Salah’s potential departure, Wirtz will need to accelerate his development.
Frimpong Struggles Under Slot
Wirtz thrived in a left-sided No. 10 role under Alonso’s successful 3-4-3 formation. If Alonso were to implement a similar system at Liverpool, it could help the team’s No. 7 regain his peak performance.
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Similarly, the £29m signing from Leverkusen, Jeremie Frimpong, has underperformed during his first season with the Reds.
Originally brought in as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Frimpong is not a traditional right-back and struggles to fulfill the role of Mohamed Salah, who plays further up the pitch.
He excels as a right wing-back, yet Slot has persistently refused to deploy a back three this season.
© IMAGO – Xabi Alonso, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen
Alonso Could Revitalize Frimpong and Wirtz
This situation has hindered Liverpool from utilizing Frimpong effectively in his ideal position. Injuries have played a role, but the 25-year-old is still looking for a breakthrough in his Liverpool career.
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Although there have been glimpses of his individual talent out wide, he has yet to replicate the consistent attacking threat he demonstrated at Leverkusen.
Frimpong scored 26 goals and provided 33 assists during his time working under Alonso, a stark contrast to his current output under Slot. The former Feyenoord coach has struggled to unlock the potential of several new signings, and Wirtz and Frimpong are no exceptions.
With £145m invested in acquiring these two players, it’s evident that a different coaching approach is necessary for them to thrive. Bringing Alonso in as head coach seems to be the best possible solution.