Liverpool legend John Arne Riise has argued that Chelsea’s swift move to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new manager is the clearest evidence yet that Liverpool have not been looking to replace Arne Slot and that the Norwegian’s position at Anfield remains intact heading into the summer.
Chelsea confirmed the appointment of the Spaniard on a four-year deal set to begin on July 1, 2026, drawing a line under months of speculation that had repeatedly linked Alonso with a return to Liverpool — a club where he made 210 appearances as a player and for which he retains enormous affection.
Speaking exclusively to GOAL, Riise was direct in his reading of events. “With Xabi signing with Chelsea now, I think it proves that they haven’t spoken to his representative and they’re not considering sacking Arne Slot,” he said. “Because Xabi Alonso was the obvious choice for me, and for everybody, to take over if they wanted to change. I think Xabi, if he knew there was a chance with Liverpool, he would have waited.”
Riise also addressed the growing tension between Slot and sections of the Anfield fanbase, acknowledging it as a genuine concern without writing off the manager entirely. “It’s not a good sign,” he said of the boos Slot has faced. “But now it seems like everything Arne is doing, everybody responds negatively to it. He has a big job ahead of him to turn things around when it comes to belief from the fans and also his own players — because if you start losing the dressing room, that’s when it’s game over.”
Liverpool enter their final Premier League fixture in fifth place. A positive result would secure Champions League football for the 2026-27 season — widely regarded as the baseline expectation that would allow Slot to begin rebuilding momentum heading into his third campaign in charge.
— NutmegXtra | Football News. Transfers. More.
