Joe Cole lays out reason Liverpool could sack Arne Slot and hire Xabi Alonso after Chelsea draw

Liverpool’s wait to secure Champions League football continues as Chelsea avoided a club record seventh consecutive defeat with a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

The game summed up the entire season of the hosts in the first 45 minutes when they advanced and then retreated into their shell, allowing a team low in confidence and a manager involved to grow in the game before the equalizer.

Ryan Gravenberch’s goal was only the fourth time Liverpool had scored in the opening 15 minutes of a league game this season but when Virgil van Dijk volleyed in from six yards things started to turn around for Arne Slot’s side.

Enzo Fernandez’s low free-kick deflected off everyone and into the middle of the post for the equalizer as Chelsea capitalized on the initiative handed to their passive opponents.

Both teams had second-half goals ruled out by VAR for offside and Dominik Szoboszlai and Van Dijk hit the crossbar as Liverpool finally woke up from their slumber.

However, the draw still leaves them needing a win to ensure a return to the Champions League, although a superior goal difference means two points will not be enough even if sixth-placed Bournemouth win all of their remaining games.

This point did nothing for Chelsea’s European hopes.

Slot’s football was criticized for being slow but the first half was also boring, not helped by the absence of Florian Wirtz due to illness.

Although the Dutch player is still supported by Anfield officials as the next season enters, Kop lamenting the inclusion of teenager Rio Ngumoha shows that there are many bridges to be built if fans and management are to reconcile.

It’s the same situation at managerless Chelsea, who come into the game looking to avoid their worst defeat since 1952 and fans are voicing their displeasure with the ownership.

Liverpool couldn’t have hoped for better opposition but once the visitors realized they weren’t going to be beaten they took control with Cole Palmer finding space to connect balls or passes – especially to Marc Cucurella, who for an hour, caused many problems.

The game started well as in the sixth minute only Szoboszlai hit a free-kick against the wall and Ngumoha edged Gravenberch to score his first league goal since December from the spot.

But when Van Dijk shot from close range, the momentum changed with Giorgi Mamadashvili, who returned to goal after a knee injury, denying Cucurella (twice) and Joao Pedro.

The situation was dire and not wanting to press home their advantage, the Kop voiced their disapproval when Ibrahima Konate planned to pass the keeper in his own half.

Cody Gakpo’s needless foul gave Fernandez a chance from 35 yards and, when Wesley Fofana was touched down, the low free-kick was deemed to have rolled inside the untouched post.

VAR denied Palmer ending his goal drought, now 12 games for club and country, and did the same for Curtis Jones’ header from close range.

Liverpool’s lack of attacking intent meant that 17-year-old Ngumoha was praised almost every time he touched the ball, even if there was no effective result most of the time.

So when he was tipped to allow British record signing Alexander Isak to taunt and Szoboszlai hit the foot of the post and Van Dijk against the crossbar he couldn’t stop the roar at the end.

Joe Cole advises Xabi Alonso to join Liverpool

Speaking live on TNT’s coverage after the full-time whistle, Reds Peter Crouch and Joe Cole discuss Slot’s future at Anfield.

And while both agreed that Jurgen Klopp’s high standards should not be used as a stick to beat the Dutchman with, Cole suggested that it is now or never to bring in Xabi Alonso.

“The thing is, Xabi Alonso is available, I keep coming to that.

“You look at the quality of the players that are there, the type of players that are there, the way they play, the Liverpool board may consider leaving.

“I don’t think he deserves it (Slot was fired), but it’s a unique situation because Xabi was a great player here and he was a great young manager, and you might not get another chance to get him.”

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