Real Madrid Rumors: Liverpool Legend Among Prime Candidates to Replace Under-Pressure Xabi Alonso

It hasn’t been the rosiest of homecomings for Xabi Alonso in Madrid. Since being appointed as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement back in May, Alonso started the season on fire, racking up 13 wins from 14 games.

Since November, however, Real Madrid’s form has plummeted. Wednesday night’s Champions League loss to Manchester City raises more questions than answers, but one thing’s for certain: Alonso is certainly on the hot seat.

With Alonso’s future in question, several names have been bandied about to replace the Spaniard, but Sky Sport’s Florian Plettenberg threw another interesting name into the mix this week.

Iconic Former Liverpool Boss Among Options to Replace Xabi Alonso

While Zinedine Zidane’s name has prominently featured in the rumor mill (and with good reason), Plettenberg revealed that Jurgen Klopp could also be in the running for the top job at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Xabi Alonso is expected to be given at least the match on Sunday in Alaves,” Plettenberg wrote on X. “In the event of a dismissal (which Real Madrid are keen to avoid), Jürgen Klopp is among the candidates.”

Klopp, the high priest of gegenpressing football, notably led Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League glory, but also has a history with Real Madrid, having failed to beat Los Blancos in the Champions League final in 2018 and 2022.

While Klopp has the credentials to lead a team of Real Madrid’s caliber, questions could be raised about how he would approach restructuring a team that has not exactly taken kindly to being asked to adopt a higher work rate.

Klopp’s sides are notoriously known for giving the opposition little room to breathe high up the pitch, choosing to force turnovers and initiate attacks more often than building up across the pitch.

The German will, however, ensure Trent Alexander-Arnold’s talents shine bright on the pitch, having propelled the former Liverpool right-back to titles back on Merseyside.

As things stand, however, multiple reports state that the sentiment in Madrid is one leaning towards patience, rather than axing Alonso.

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Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham came out with a strong statement in light of the loss to Man City. “As a player, seeing what we have in the changing room, working with the coach every day, we have everything we need to turn it around,” Bellingham told reporters.

“I have full faith that this season isn’t over just because we have been on a bad run of form.”

The weekend game against Alaves could very well be a fork in the road. Los Blancos have eight first-team players injured, with another three serving suspensions, further complicating matters for Alonso.