Data experts think 45-year-old Dutch manager may be great alternative to Xabi Alonso for Liverpool

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As Liverpool continue their search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor, there remains one name on everybody’s lips.

At this point, it would be a surprise to many if Xabi Alonso were not the man in the Anfield hot seat next season. The former Liverpool midfielder is by far and away the favourite for the job.

But with Bayern Munich also circling Alonso, hiring the Spaniard is not a given. As a result, The i claim that the Reds are assessing all of their options. Although the Bayer Leverkusen coach is clearly on their shortlist, it’s reported that FSG will not ‘compromise the process’ based on Bayern also being involved.

The Liverpool owners are said to be determined not to rush their search, and will ‘lean heavily on data analysis’ when it comes to choosing who will replace Klopp. With that in mind, The i commissioned football consultancy firm Analytics FC to put together a five-man list of who would be a fit for Liverpool.

Unsurprisingly, Alonso reportedly came back as one of the top choices. So too did Ruben Amorim, who has been suggested as being the most likely candidate aside from Alonso. Edin Terzic is another who has been tipped to be in the running, as well as Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

The final name on the list of five is perhaps the most interesting. Feyenoord manager Arne Slot is said to have come back as a ‘good stylistic fit’ for Liverpool.

Slot suggested as Liverpool fit

Liverpool’s new manager hunt is incredibly intriguing. Although Alonso would seem like the obvious choice, FSG rarely go for the most blatant pick in recruitment.

We’ve seen time and time again where Liverpool go slightly left-field with their choices in the transfer market.

Never a club to simply follow a big name or take a half-cooked punt on someone, the Reds like to analyse the data, then analyse it again.

This has at times led to some unlikely transfers. But how often have Liverpool got things right over the past decade. Just as Michail Antonio said earlier this week, the Reds have an especially impressive track record with these things.

So, why should it be any different when looking for a manager? Whoever comes in is largely going to have to work with the current crop of Liverpool players.

As a result, they’re going to have to be a fit for what the Reds have available.

With all the worldwide data available right now, it’ll be relatively straightforward to see which high-performing coaches would fit that remit.

It’s encouraging that Alonso shows up well in that regard. The World Cup winner is the number one choice for a few different reasons, but the first one is that he’s simply an excellent coach.

Should FSG choose to go in a different direction though, Slot would be an interesting pick. Having been with Feyenoord since 2021, the 45-year-old won the Eredivisie title last season and also made it to the Europa Conference League final in 2022. Now second in the league, Slot has done a good job in Rotterdam. Very interesting.