Liverpool job was 'waiting to happen' for Xabi Alonso before Chelsea move
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesXabi AlonsoXabi Alonso has joined Chelsea as the club's new manager, but Rio Ferdinand believes the Spaniard could have replaced Arne Slot at Liverpool had he waited for the situation at Anfield to unfoldXabi Alonso is the new Chelsea boss(Image: Getty Images)Rio Ferdinand has expressed his astonishment that Xabi Alonso chose the Chelsea position — suggesting the Liverpool role might have been available to him had he "just sat tight," given the uncertainty surrounding Arne Slot.The Spaniard is set to return to the Premier League in a managerial capacity when he assumes his position at Stamford Bridge. The former Real Madrid manager will pen a four-year contract to lead the Blues after they dismissed Liam Rosenior.Alonso arrives with championship credentials following his achievements at Bayer Leverkusen, though his past at Anfield had long made him a favorite for the Liverpool manager's position.
Parts of the fanbase would welcome him now after the disappointing campaign they've experienced under Slot.READ MORE: What Jurgen Klopp said about Liverpool return as Mohamed Salah piles pressure on Arne SlotREAD MORE: Liverpool confirms Mohamed Salah gesture vs Brentford as statement released after outburstThe Dutchman faces mounting pressure following their most recent setback — a 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa last week.The Reds have suffered 12 league defeats, and Ferdinand reckons Alonso would've been firmly in the running to succeed Slot should the Liverpool hierarchy decide on a managerial change.Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: "I'm actually surprised he's gone there.Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)"I'm not saying he's the wrong choice.The reason I'm surprised he's gone there is because I thought he would have been patient enough to wait and see how the Arne Slot situation at Liverpool would play out."Ex-Liverpool player, loved the club, always speaks well about the club, and you just think that was a relationship waiting to happen behind the scenes."If he'd just sat tight, the way things are going at the moment, the way things are unfolding at Liverpool, surely he's next in the queue to get that job."But Chelsea have acted quickly, they've probably put something in front of him with some big numbers as well that has turned his head, and he's just thought, 'I'm going to go for it!'"Or he's just thought, 'Do you know what? I can't just sit here, hope and wait, and be guessing about what's going to happen at Liverpool if an opportunity like this is here' ... it's a big club, Chelsea."Chelsea has continued to burn through managers under the club's current ownership, yet has not previously attracted a figure of Alonso's standing.Liverpool, meanwhile, remains at risk of falling short of Champions League qualification, though Slot has publicly stated his belief that he will remain at the helm next season.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Xabi AlonsoLiverpool FCChelsea FCArne SlotRio Ferdinand