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Liverpool told manager ‘happy’ to take role is the ‘perfect match’ as Pep Guardiola comparison made

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has seen his future called into question during the 2025/26 season.

Steven Gerrard thinks Slot is under pressure from outside influences after failing to win a single Premier League game so far this year.

It’s hard to argue, especially given Liverpool fans have wanted a new manager for some time.

The possibility of an interim manager replacing Slot cannot be ruled out if results are poor for a consistent period.

On that front, there were calls for Steven Gerrard to be brought back, while there have also been reports of Xabi Alonso returning to Anfield.

Who was Liverpool’s best player on a much better night at Anfield?

So many good displays vs Qarabag

Liverpool FC v Qarabag FK - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Xabi Alonso perfect for Liverpool

Reports in the Spanish press said recently that sources close to Alonso indicate he would be more than happy with a return to Liverpool.

The former midfielder is, of course, now without a job after leaving another of his ex-teams, Real Madrid, this month.

As well as Liverpool and Los Blancos, Xabi spent time at Bayern Munich as a player, where he featured alongside Javi Martinez.

Now, Martinez has shared his thoughts on Alonso as a manager and suggested he’d be perfect for Liverpool.

Speaking live on BEIN Sports on Wednesday evening while covering the Champions League games, he said: “It’s football [sack pressure months after winning league title], it’s one of them things that doesn’t rhyme well.

“I know some names come on the table, I heard about Xabi Alonso – not from him. I’m not saying anything… I think so [be a good fit], I think the Liverpool team needs a change.

“Xabi Alonso is a young coach that brings a lot of new things, it’s [from] the Pep [Guardiola] school. He likes to play the way Cesc, Pep play and I think it will be a perfect match between Xabi Alonso and Liverpool.”

Will Xabi Alonso be Liverpool manager by the start of the 2026/27 season?

If no, where will he be instead?

Xabi Alonso pictured during Real Madrid's La Liga match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu (Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto

Xabi Alonso knows how to make Liverpool duo tick

If Alonso does move at some point in the future, he could link back up with two of his former stars.

Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz enjoyed much success under the coach while he was Bayer Leverkusen boss.

Alonso has been proven right about Wirtz at Liverpool, who took his goal contribution tally for the season up to 12 against Qarabag.

Frimpong was also improving prior to his injury in the midweek Champions League action.