Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken about Xabi Alonso's tactics and managerial style, as Liverpool head coach Arne Slot faces pressure following a run of poor results.
Arne Slot speaks at a press conference.
Arne Slot's Liverpool job is safe despite a poor run of results.
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Xabi Alonso is the bookies' favourite to eventually take over from Arne Slot at Liverpool, despite the Dutchman reportedly having the backing of the club hierarchy. The Reds head coach is under pressure after a testing run of form has left Liverpool with just three wins from their last 12 games in all competitions.
Despite Liverpool bringing in plenty of fresh talent this summer, while setting a new record for the most money spent by a club in one single transfer window, the current Premier League champions sit 11 points off tablet-toppers Arsenal after 12 games. Many of Slot's new signings have struggled to find their feet, while ongoing injury concerns haven't helped.
With Slot now under pressure, a host of managerial candidates have been linked with a move to Anfield if the club choose to make a change. Jurgen Klopp had been viewed as one of the favourites, but former Liverpool star Alonso has now overtaken him according to Oddschecker, with the Spaniard is priced up at 5/2.
Trent Alexander-Arnold made the switch to Real Madrid this summer - and now plays under Alonso in La Liga. The Englishman has given an insight into Alonso's training approach and has offered nothing but praise for his manager.
Regarding adapting to life at Real, he said: "I either ask someone, or I'll ask one of the staff if I don't understand. At first I was too shy to say I don't understand, and I'd mess up the drill. But now I'm braver and I'll ask for English when needed."
He added: "I'm pretty fortunate enough to only work with top managers in my opinion. We both came to the club at the same time, and it's a privilege to work with him and his staff. Dream come true for me."
Liverpool's last victory was a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. Ahead of that game, Trent spoke to Prime Video Sportabout how he viewed Alonso during his move to Spain, via Paisley Gates.
"He was an idol of mine," the defender said. "He was someone that I looked up to, practiced a lot of the passes that I've seen him play, still now in training when he likes to show off from time to time. It's incredible.
"He loves to get involved, he absolutely loves to get involved. He could [still play]. I think deep down he still wants to, because he likes to get involved in training. But you can just see the game intelligence and the way he sees the game is in a pure form."
Xabi Alonso hugs Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been full of praise for Xabi Alonso.
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He continued: "In the first conversation that we had, I said watching him, watching Gerrard, those two specifically growing up. Watching them I realised that passing is an art."
If Liverpool executives are to look for a replacement for Slot, then Alexander-Arnold's glowing words on Alonso will only strengthen the Spaniard's case if he is open to a return to Merseyside.
However, as reported by Daily Mail Sport, sources close to Liverpool and Slot have insisted that the Dutchman's job remains safe, despite the heavy defeat to PSV Eindhoven midweek.
Speaking after the 4-1 Champions League loss, Slot said: "I think it's always about the team, and I think we can all do better, individuals and the three [moments] you are talking about, but I think this goes for everyone, including myself.
"I don't think this is the time to emphasise individual errors. It's more the time to talk about the team instead of the individual errors because individual errors are made in football.
"We have to make sure that if we make them then we react or make it up so that it doesn't lead to a goal, and if it does lead to a goal that we're good enough to come back into the game. That's a team thing and not an individual thing."