08 May 2026 16:34:44
Hi all,
Bit of a u-turn according to my sources, but I am confident. Would rather be wrong and tell you what I heard than stay silent. But I don't think I'm wrong.
Xabi Alonso will be the next Liverpool manager beginning in July.
08 May 2026 16:48:01
Cheers VG.
08 May 2026 16:49:28
If you are right, then I am warning you now, you better put a restraining order on me because I will chase you to the ends of the earth to show you my gratitude. :)
08 May 2026 16:52:07
Hopefully this means Edwards has relinquished some of his control.
08 May 2026 16:54:50
This is going to be fun!
08 May 2026 17:00:10
VG, I appreciate everything people share on here, but I don't know who is giving you info, because it changes daily.
The other day you posted something like that people are just kidding themselves, as Slot is going to be the manager next season. Two days later, Alonso is the manager.
You need a new contact or stop clicking on stuff on Google.
08 May 2026 17:01:43
No manager will be coming in to have control over transfers. Rightfully or wrongfully, I don't think they should either. Alonso would be a terrific appointment imo.
08 May 2026 17:07:52
Grino, I never once said anything about people kidding themselves. The manager situation has always been incredibly volatile.
Up until a few weeks ago, I was under the impression Arne was to depart. New information told me otherwise, but now it's full circle.
Time will tell.
One thing I've always been open about is the chance of being incorrect. I have multiple sources and I usually pass on everything I hear. Some is true, some isn't. I'm a fan like everyone else.
08 May 2026 17:14:16
Let's hope so, VG, an official announcement once Champions League qualification has been confirmed would be splendid.
08 May 2026 17:17:18
Thx, VG ...
Hah, love all this kind of stuff...
Keep em coming, fella ...
08 May 2026 17:26:26
Logically it makes sense, I do think it will be a mutual agreement and parting of ways this summer.
Iraola is well thought of, club have noted the ability in the league and obviously Hughes knows him well. Up in the air as to what's happening with Hughes and Edwards, wouldn't be shocked if one departs.
Have heard we are close to getting Wharton, United also were interested but their attention seems to have shifted towards a more combative type midfielder - Baleba. Funnily enough, have just heard Palace are closing in on Hayden Hackney, brilliant player from Boro (don't be shocked if he gets a big move in a year or two).
Like most targets, we seem to have ranked preference, wide areas it seems like Olise is the impossible dream but Diomande and Barcola are the two that fall below him, would expect us to move for one of those.
We will aim to get priority positions tied up early, central midfielder (most likely Wharton) & wide player (Diomande/Barcola).
Wouldn't be shocked if we push for another wide player in that price bracket below, club have watched that young lad Toure at Hoffenheim a ton, a lot of his game resembles Dembele (PSG), Matheus Mane has been watched as has Minteh and Kevin Schade in the league. Also wouldn't be at all surprised if we look at someone like Bowen especially if West Ham go down, prem proven and would help plug some of the gaps with goals and assists when Mo leaves.
Senesi is seen as an opportunity in the market, would imagine this is if Joe moves on this summer.
Tsimikas will more than likely be coming back to fill in a squad role with Robbo leaving.
Club like Archie Gray and he could also be another opportunity if Spurs somehow go down.
Club rate Will Wright very highly along with Danns so wouldn't be shocked if both get more game time next season in Hugo's absence in cup games.
Ta, Ken.
08 May 2026 17:38:36
I hope you're right about this.
08 May 2026 17:58:11
Goddamn Victor, that's great news.
08 May 2026 18:00:44
I hope so! I will join Mango in showing gratitude.
08 May 2026 18:02:19
Lots of conflicting rumours about who the next manager will be, but after this season and the latter part of last season, they all seem to be an upgrade on Slot. Also, I wouldn't be convinced by Warton, we need a better defensive midfielder unless we are in for both.
08 May 2026 18:04:21
Alonso ticks more boxes than the rest. Slot's lack of connection with the city and its people has created a disconnect that is unacceptable as manager of Liverpool.
Alonso was always Edwards' first choice, and Alonso is one of the most intelligent people in the game, as well as being a top bloke.
08 May 2026 18:06:41
Thanks, VG, mate. Ignore the moaners.
08 May 2026 18:08:04
Personally, I'd rather Iraola than Alonso. Yes, he's a legend and we all love him. Did well at BL but then couldn't do the same at RM. Yes, they're a freak club and run by their own rules, but makes me nervous.
Iraola is prem proven, has done amazingly with a pretty lean and unproven team.
They play their heart out every match, something we've been missing for a year. He appears to be able to get the most out of each player, something that, again, we've done terribly at this year. He's hungry, he'd relish the chance to lead a club like LFC. I'd take either over Sloth, but I'd prefer Iraola.
08 May 2026 18:14:09
As I said, Florian, I hope it means Edwards has relinquished Some of his control. And, as I've stated before, I also think giving anybody full control is dangerous, hence why some of Edwards' power should be taken away, as he has final say at the moment, a licence that I, and many others, don't believe he's qualified to hold, especially when it comes to deciding on potential targets.
It would be almost pointless to bring Xabi in if his opinion on transfers can simply be vetoed by a glorified performance analyst.
08 May 2026 18:21:12
It's funny, people who say Alonso failed at Real Madrid, he got sacked with a win percentage of 70%, do you realize how insane that is?
08 May 2026 18:21:21
Alonso had a 70% win rate at RM. He was screwed over by players' arrogance and egos, which also seems to be happening to Arbeloa now.
I would like a manager that, if successful, will stay with the club for many years, not a manager that will come in for 3 seasons, then off to the next job.
I would love Alonso.
08 May 2026 18:32:43
Will be really happy with this news. Let's hope you're right, VG. Thanks for sharing.
08 May 2026 18:33:08
Is a glorified performance analyst not the perfect person to be looking at potential transfers? I might be wrong here, but was this side of things not what Edwards is actually terrific at? I thought it was contracts people didn't want him involved in.
Transfers, in my opinion, should be sorted between Edwards, Hughes (or whoever is in their positions if they are no longer at the club), and the manager. Giving a manager free reign can be so dangerous.
08 May 2026 18:37:01
Godamn, Victor! That would be a turn around. Thanks for sharing.
08 May 2026 18:38:28
Great info, thanks for sharing, Vic.
08 May 2026 18:59:48
VG, not quite what I said, but not far off.
Honestly, think people are setting themselves up for disappointment here. Slot is staying and having a third season. And it'll go wrong.
ViktorVaughan.
08 May 2026 19:00:00
We definitely don't want to go back to the manager in charge of transfers, that's how you end up with players like Diouf, Cheyrou, Dicks, Konchesky, Poulsen, Benteke, pretty much any Souness or Hodgson signing.
And nearly end up with Brandt instead of Salah, and Gotze instead of Mane.
{Ed001's Note - Klopp wanted Mane. He was Klopp's first choice, Goetze was an alternative if the deal couldn't be done. Klopp had been trying to sign Mane since he was Dortmund manager.}
08 May 2026 19:14:45
Florian, Chewy isn't saying the manager should have full control, he's saying Edwards should relinquish some of his, which is bang on. He hasn't shown anything to warrant such power. Alonso or any manager should have a say in transfers, again, that's not full control, it's having a say. Differentiate it.
08 May 2026 19:19:21
Thanks VictorG.
My new favourite poster.
08 May 2026 18:58:28
VictorGoddam
I sincerely hope you are correct, if not I had better warn you.
I have a particular set of skills which I have aquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a night mare.
I will find you.
Don't be put off by the moaners by the way. To all the ITK's keep the rumours coming. After all it is called a rumours site.
08 May 2026 19:49:19
Okay, look it's very simple, Slot might stay. But until that eventuality, let the readers dream. This season has been tough for everyone, and the only shining light and thing to cling on to for the average Joe on here is the hope that we are getting a shiny new manager (preferably one without a shiny head like Slot). The rumours, lore, and general chit chat on here is better craic than the watching the games. Let's keep up the positive "Slot is definitely leaving" vibes, and you never know, it might just happen.
I personally, have never wanted anything more. I hated it last season and I hate it this season. The football is awful and I couldn't care where we end up in the league if that is the football we are going to play. Not to mention a team full of players I can't relate to anymore, no stars, no one my son would have on his wall on a poster.
I want a change, and I think the club will do the right thing. If they don't, I will be checking out next season and taking some time away from the Reds because it is not good for my head and it is genuinely affecting my mood and my life. That might sound desperate, but I love Liverpool and I hate to see what is happening to the team. Slot strikes me as someone that is either clocked off early and passing his time until end of season, or else completely arrogant and incapable of owning a bad situation. He is responsible for most of this mess and for me, you get a better coach onto those players and give him some new players to work with, he will do much better.
08 May 2026 19:51:29
Florian, Firstly, Edwards has been part of bringing in just as many god-awful players as he has good ones, he's no wizard, and he gets far too much credit for work that's essentially done by a program on his laptop. A performance analyst is good for analysing and projecting performances. Yes, they're good for running the numbers and having input on potential targets, but giving them final say is like handing your missus the credit card. There are many other aspects that the suits just aren't qualified for.
Edwards is no scout, he has no sideline experience, he has no idea how to coach, man-manage, shape players, fit them into a system or mould a winning team, and clearly we're seeing the result of that this season, with a very obvious lack of cohesion between head coach and execs when it comes to a vision for the direction this team needs to go. It's been nothing short of disastrous, and if it weren't for individual quality, we wouldn't be qualifying for Champions League.
Edwards had final say for what was meant to be our biggest, most successful window of all time, and he went ass-backwards.
He spent 450m on players who don't even fit our system, and that was on paper, before applying hindsight. Not to mention that they've spent most of the season either out injured, played out of position or simply not clicking. Now I'm not saying they can't turn it around, but the system will no doubt have to change in order to accommodate, which again brings us back around to that lack of cohesive vision that's so essential.
I never mentioned giving a manager free rein, so I don't know why you're suggesting that. If I had to, I'd rather give it to a qualified manager over an analyst, but free rein can be dangerous; that's essentially what Edwards had last summer, and look how badly it went. My point is, and I've always suggested that, Edwards needs to relinquish some control in order to bring Xabi in successfully.
Hughes is little more than his sock puppet in my opinion.
08 May 2026 19:55:07
I'd speculate, VG, that Alonso was always the first choice but they left the idiot that is Edwards to negotiate it. Like everyone else that's ever had to deal with that clown Xabi probably went s*** that if I have to work with him.
Talks break down, FSG realise what needs to be done to secure Alonso's signature, give him the reassurances he needs and it's all back on. ? I should pen murder mysteries I know. ?
08 May 2026 19:57:52
I'm just not clear why we would wait until July?
Liverpool's season has 3 games left. Madrid's season is nearly over. What's the delay?
08 May 2026 20:04:33
I appreciate the news/update/rumour, VGD. I think it's obvious things can flip flop. Maybe a few days ago, it was that Slot was staying from his source. Then Xabi linked to Chelsea, you'd have a rethink about losing him to a rival. So now the news, it's different.
Just saying this as an example of how and why things can change. It's clear that his future is under consideration and it's an important move. I'm not sure Alonso would be the best choice. I prefer Iraola over Alonso. Enrique over both.
08 May 2026 20:07:19
Arne was talking about looking forward to the future at the club in his press conference, didn't seem like he was leaving tbh.
08 May 2026 20:17:46
Chewy, I agree. I think this year has been a disaster, and we are only getting top four, not because of individual quality but lack of quality from the other teams. Likewise, last season, we weren't amazing. We were okay, but everyone else was awful. We only won the league last season because everyone else was useless, we won it with rubbish points and the football was poor, then we sold 2 of our best players, and didn't replace them, and unfortunately we lost Jota and replaced him with someone who is permanently injured.
I don't think anyone can say Edwards is good. He may have been good, once. But he got it wrong this year. He might get it right next year. Who knows.
08 May 2026 20:18:18
Ah right, sorry about that thanks Ed, I thought Klopp wanted Gotze as he had reservations about Mane's attitude.
{Ed001's Note - no mate, he loved Mane and tried to sign him a few times.}
08 May 2026 20:47:45
Ah, fair enough, cheers, mate. Hope you are well.
{Ed001's Note - yeah, all good mate, you?}
08 May 2026 21:11:40
Not arguing with yis, Frode and Chewy, and of course I think Xabi, if manager, should have a say. The 3 of them should. Thats me done on the subject.
08 May 2026 21:21:09
VG, is Kier Starmer your source? U-turns are his speciality.
08 May 2026 21:46:08
Oh my God, Victor!!!!!!!!! You legend!!!! Can I say I love you????
08 May 2026 22:00:46
There's still a couple of weeks left in the season ... I wonder if things will change, or rather how many times will things change, before the end of June.
08 May 2026 22:21:46
Yeah, all good, thanks. Glad it's Friday.
{Ed001's Note - is that because you are excited about our game tomorrow?}
08 May 2026 23:03:36
Cheers, Victor. That means it's only 54 days till Christmas.
08 May 2026 23:34:49
I hope this is true. In my humble opinion, Iraola is a one way ticket to mediocrity. He'd be worse than Slot.
Anyone who saw him in Ferris Bueller's Day Off knows he'll do anything to dodge going to work.
08 May 2026 23:45:52
Someone posts about Alonso coming and it's like everyone gets ecstatic about it. Look, nobody knows anything, so just chill and wait.
From my viewpoint, no one is coming in as our new manager, because Slot is staying.
09 May 2026 00:15:31
Xabi ✅
Diomande ✅
I will be very happy if we get both.
09 May 2026 01:48:09
Chewy - how is Edwards responsible for players injury problems it's just the same old nonsense from you as per usual. The Ed's give you far too much leeway to post tripe daily.
09 May 2026 06:41:57
It's a scatter gun approach to being ITK
Predict enough things and something will be correct!! It changes every few days, but this was always the likelihood if Slott goes.
09 May 2026 06:47:16
Hi Ed, well todays game is one closer to the end of the season. Sorry that's bad to say, not felt like that in a while. :)
KBL, I think we all know there is a chance Slot stays, but due to what has happened this season and that Alonso is available we are hoping for a change, we are allowed to get excited and hope. VG, Carra, TheFields, Robbo, WindowCleaner, Ed001 give us the information they have at the time and we all should expect it to change on a regular basis.
No disrespect to Slot, he gave us number 20 and he should be respected and thanked for that, things haven't worked out well this season, it does feel like he has one foot out the door.
But to be honest the overall quality of the league has been down. The 1st leg of the PSG vs Bayern game was the best game i'd seen for a while. We need that back.
09 May 2026 08:03:27
VV is Grino?!
Grino - "VG, not quite what I said, but not far off. Honestly, think people are setting themselves up for disappointment here. Slot is staying and having a third season. And it'll go wrong. ViktorVaughan."
09 May 2026 08:46:29
So Slot is still definitely staying and he is still definitely going.
That clears that up then.
Comical stuff.
09 May 2026 08:49:25
Anyone who uses the Real Madrid debacle as reason to dismiss Alonso has absolutely no idea how toxic the culture is there.
Alonso banned wags from training and attempted to implement intense training, which was basically refused.
09 May 2026 09:45:25
One minute someone says it's Iriola, next it's Alonso.
I'll believe it's still Slot, and hopefully be pleased to God if it's not.
09 May 2026 10:26:20
HessleRedTom1980, when did I say Edwards was responsible for injury problems, mate?
I didn't, at all. That wasn't part of the point I was making. But, don't worry, I'll gladly find a way to save your comment, just to keep you happy. I wouldn't want you to look like some sort of fool talking tripe.
Edwards is head of all things football. He has final say on transfers. His background as an analyst means he's meant to be a "guru" with the data. Edwards is absolutely responsible for determining risk of injury for potential targets.
Three of our new signings have all suffered from major injuries that have seen them sidelined for extensive periods. It's been well known for a long time that Isak made of crisps; sure, you can say the leg break was a freak accident, but you have to wonder, would it happen with somebody of a sturdier build? Also, I guarantee you it won't be the last time we see Isak sidelined due to injury, we know from his history that we'll see quite a bit of that.
Ekitike admittedly doesn't have a long history like Isak, but he's only a young lad, and we know that somebody of his build is often more prone to injury. He did have a grade 2 hamstring tear at 19, the type of injury that could be an indicator of things to come. We know he's not a 90-minute man, we've seen it many times. Slot knows it and has spoken of his need to manage his minutes; he picks up niggles easily if pushed, and now he's out for the best part of a year.
The most peculiar part of all this is the fact that we spent £200m and brought in 2 strikers of such similar style and build, both needing minutes managed and prone to injury. If that's not the kind of thing a "performance analyst" is meant to pick up on, then I have no idea what it is they're meant to be doing.