Xabi Alonso is reportedly furious with Liverpool after the club's hesitation to make a managerial change allowed him to slip away to Chelsea. The Reds finished their Premier League season with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Brentford on Sunday, clinging to fifth place and the final Champions League spot after winning the title last term under Arne Slot.
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has publicly called on the board to sack Slot, describing the team's performance as "absolute garbage" on social media. Pennant's frustration centres on Liverpool's catastrophic record against top-nine sides: just three wins in 18 matches across home and away fixtures. The ex-winger urged Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to act decisively rather than contemplate backing Slot into another season despite the dramatic decline from title-winning form.
Alonso's Missed Opportunity and Chelsea Switch
The timeline of events has created a unique source of anguish for the Tolosa native. Alonso, who spent six years as a Liverpool midfielder before his playing career took him across Europe, felt the club lacked clarity when he could have replaced Slot. By the time Liverpool's board appeared to reconsider their manager's position, Alonso had already committed to Chelsea, cutting short any potential Anfield reunion. Spanish reports suggest the former Real Madrid coach believes the Merseyside club hesitated too long and failed to communicate their intentions firmly enough, particularly given their shared history.
Slot attempted to deflect criticism post-match, telling reporters that returning injured players would improve results next season. "We brought in a lot of players last season. When they're available again, that will be a change," he said, suggesting Liverpool's injury crisis was the primary culprit for their collapse. However, the mathematical reality of three wins in 18 games against elite opposition paints a starkly different picture—one of tactical vulnerability and personnel management questions that extend beyond squad fitness.
With Champions League football confirmed despite the fifth-place finish, Liverpool's summer window will prove critical. The board's decision to retain Slot or pursue a new direction will shape whether this season's collapse was a blip or the beginning of a prolonged decline from the heights of their title-winning campaign.
