Mbappe makes Alonso feelings clear as Real Madrid boss backed for Liverpool job

Arne Slot is under pressure after Liverpool suffered another humbling home defeat on Wednesday night and former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso has been linked with a return to Anfield

Kylian Mbappe has thrown his backing behind Xabi Alonso after the Real Madrid boss saw his odds on becoming the next Liverpool head coach cut. Liverpool’s dismal season took a further turn for the worse on Wednesday night when they were beaten 4-1 at home by PSV Eindhoven.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s strike cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s early penalty, but Guus Til’s strike and a late double from Couhaib Driouech completed a miserable evening at Anfield. Despite the defeat, which was Liverpool’s ninth in 12 matches, Mirror Football understands that no decision on parting ways with Slot is imminent; however, that hasn’t stopped the bookmakers from making their feelings clear on who could replace the Dutchman on Merseyside.

Jurgen Klopp is the favourite to make a sensational return to Anfield, but BetVictor have cut Alonso’s odds to as little as 5/2. He is 6/1 with both Paddy Power and Sky Bet.

Alonso has come under pressure in recent weeks at the Santiago Bernabeu following a mixed start to the campaign. But Mbappe scored the second-fastest hat-trick in Champions League history as he helped himself to all four goals in Madrid’s 4-3 win at Olympiacos on Wednesday night.

Los Blancos were trailing to Chiquinho’s early strike at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis when the forward intervened with a seven-minute treble after 22, 24 and 29 minutes. The World Cup winner added a fourth in between fine headers from Mehdi Taremi and Ayoub El Kaabi to help secure his side all three points.

And speaking after the game, Mbappe called on Real’s players to 'protect' Alonso, saying: "I know people talk a lot on the outside. It's normal for people to talk when you play for Real Madrid.

"We have to protect the players, the coach and the staff. In the end, we're all in this together."

Before he continued: “I think we need to be honest. We are very united; in life nothing is perfect.

“And when you change projects or coaches, it’s normal for there to be changes, but I don’t think he deserves everything that’s happening right now.

“I understand it, because we are Real Madrid, and people always have to talk about Real Madrid. It’s not something negative; it’s just life.

“I think the objective right now is to make the fans feel that we are united and all rowing in the same direction.

“On the boat there may be moments when the wind picks up, but no one is going to jump off it - we are all together and united to win titles this year.”