Arne Slot joked with the press, claiming Xabi Alonso called him to say he would replace him at Liverpool

Liverpool FC faces a defining moment in their 2025-2026 campaign this Wednesday, January 21. Arne Slot’s men have landed in the south of France to take on Olympique de Marseille at the intimidating Stade Vélodrome. For the "Reds," this is more than just a Matchday 8 fixture; it is a desperate quest to escape the treacherous Play-off zone and secure a direct ticket to the Champions League Round of 16.

The stakes could not be higher. After a disappointing run of form in the Premier League, where they currently sit in fourth place—a staggering 14 points behind leaders Arsenal—the continental stage has become Slot’s primary hope for redemption.

Amidst the sporting crisis, rumors regarding Slot’s potential dismissal have reached a fever pitch. Specifically, the name of Xabi Alonso—the former Liverpool icon who has worked wonders in the Bundesliga—continues to haunt the Anfield press room. During the pre-match press conference in Marseille, Slot was asked about his future and the shadow of the Spaniard.

The Dutchman decided to fight the tension with irony.

"He called me saying he’ll take over in six months! No, no, no!" Slot joked, drawing laughter from the gathered media. "That is one of the weirdest questions I’ve ever received. What can I say to that?"

Despite the humor, the underlying pressure is undeniable. In the high-octane world of elite football, jokes about one’s successor often mask a much harsher reality regarding job security.

Just 18 months into his tenure, Slot finds himself at a crossroads. Last season, he achieved the unthinkable by securing the Premier League title in the post-Klopp era. However, the 2025-2026 season has been a story of decline. Following several high-profile player exits and a failure to refresh the midfield, the aggressive, dominant "heavy metal" football that Klopp pioneered and Slot refined has begun to fade.

The recent draw against Burnley at Anfield served as a breaking point for many fans. "I’ve been working here for 18 months and I love my job," Slot reflected. "We won the League, but this season has been harder, that’s obvious. The boos? Maybe I heard some, but not many. It’s normal that when you draw against Burnley, nobody is happy. But when people go home and emotions calm down, they probably think the reaction was a bit much."

With the Premier League title defense effectively over, the Champions League and the FA Cup are the only pillars left standing for Slot. After being eliminated by PSG in the Round of 16 last year, the pressure to go deep in Europe is immense.

Currently, Liverpool is stuck in the middle of the Champions League table. A win in Marseille is non-negotiable if they want to avoid a two-legged Play-off in February, which would further congest an already grueling schedule. Marseille, invigorated by their strong domestic form, will provide a hostile environment that will test whether Slot still has the "command of the dressing room."