Xabi Alonso 'Demands' Four Signings and Five Exits if He Becomes Liverpool Boss
Xabi Alonso will reportedly look to completely overhaul Liverpool's squad should he be selected as Arne Slot's replacement.
On Saturday afternoon Liverpool suffered a damning 3-2 loss to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, putting an end to their 13-game unbeaten run.
The result has piled further pressure on Liverpool manager Slot, with the Reds now sitting sixth in the Premier League table and without a win in the top-flight since the 2-1 victory over Wolves on December 27.
Should the Dutch manager be dismissed from his role at the club, it is widely expected that former Real Madrid boss and Liverpool legend Alonso will be targeted as his replacement.
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And if the Spaniard is named as Liverpool's new manager, it has been reported that he will completely change the squad, bringing in four new players while axing five current stars.
Since Alonso's surprise dismissal by Real Madrid earlier in January after just seven months in the role, rumours linking the Spaniard the Liverpool have been rife.
Several reports have claimed that Alonso, who spent five years playing for Liverpool, sees a return to England as the perfect chance to redeem himself.
Should be he appointed, a report from Fichajes claims that the first name on his list of transfer targets is Tottenham Hotspur star Micky Van de Ven, who has been increasingly linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks.
The report claims that Alonso views the 24-year-old as a 'generational' replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who has failed to impress so far this season.
Alonso will reportedly then turn his attention to the centre of the pitch, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, another player recently linked with Liverpool, his ideal target to help bring energy to the club's struggling midfield.
Finally, the report claims that Alonso will hope to completely change Liverpool's attack with the blockbuster signing of both Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola and Bayern Munich superstar Michael Olise, who has established himself as one of the best players in the world.
Xabi Alonso set to sell FIVE Liverpool stars if he takes over as manager
Of course, if Alonso hopes to bring in four huge names that will each demand major transfer fees, then he will have to accept that several key players would also need to leave the club.
But according to the Fichajes report, that's not an issue as Alonso has already identified five players that he would be happy to sell in the near future.
In order to make way for the potential signing of Van de Ven, the former Real Madrid boss would reportedly be happy to allow current centre-back Ibrahima Konate to leave Liverpool as a free agent when his contract expires in the summer.
The Frenchman has faced considerable criticism throughout the season, despite the fact that just months ago he was linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Perhaps the biggest surprise departures could come in midfield as Alonso would reportedly sell both Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch ahead of their contracts expiring in 2028.
Both men have struggled to find their previous form this season, but given their importance to Liverpool during their title winning campaign last year, it would certainly be a surprise to see them leave the club, even if it meant that Wharton would join.
Cody Gakpo is another player believed to be on the chopping block if Alonso is appointed at Liverpool, a decision that would undoubtedly be accepted by fans given their recent critique of Slot's insistence to continue playing the Dutchman despite his lacklustre performances.
Finally, Alonso is said to be ready to sell Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, amid reports that the Egyptian could look to end his nine-year spell at the club this summer, with Olise viewed as the perfect replacement for the 33-year-old.
Topics: Liverpool, Xabi Alonso, Arne Slot, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
Ben McCrum