Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool and faces a crucial week, starting with a trip to West Ham on Sunday, while former Reds star Xabi Alonso has been linked with the post if the manager is sacked
Xabi Alonso.
Brad Friedel believes Xabi Alonso would be a "great option" to succeed Arne Slot
View 2 Images
Brad Friedel believes Xabi Alonso would be a good option to replace Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. The former Reds goalkeeper has claimed that the Spaniard can succeed at Anfield but admits it is unlikely that it will transpire.
Slot is at a crucial period of his Liverpool tenure as he faces an important week with three Premier League matches against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds. The Reds are looking to bounce back domestically after a turgid 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, as they moved out of the bottom three with the win.
The misery surrounding Anfield was compounded in midweek when PSV Eindhoven ran out 4-1 winners, heaping pressure on the future of Slot.
Friedel believes Alonso would be a good option for Liverpool, should a decision be made surrounding the Dutchman. He said speaking to talkSPORT BET: "Xabi Alonso would be a great option, but a lot would have to happen for that move to become realistic.
"He’s a top manager and would really do well for them."
With scrutiny surrounding Slot and his future on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp and Alonso have been considered among the frontrunners by bookmakers.
The Spaniard has endured a tough start to life at Real Madrid after leaving Bayer Leverkusen in the summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti. Reports suggested that Alonso himself was under pressure after the Los Blancos players suffered a culture shock following his arrival.
However, Friedel raised concerns about Liverpool axing Slot and the possibility of the Bundesliga-winning head coach making a return to Anfield in the dugout.
He added: "But Liverpool historically aren’t a hire-and-fire club. It would be really surprising if they removed Slot after winning the Premier League only a few months ago and after investing in players for him. It would be very un-Liverpool-like.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Arne Slot is under serious pressure(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
"Financially, missing the Champions League spots complicates things, but replacing a Premier League–winning manager with the current manager of La Liga’s top team still feels extremely unlikely.
"Liverpool fans would welcome Alonso, no doubt—but I can’t see it happening."
Liverpool currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table and trail behind rivals Manchester United and Everton.
The Reds are three points off the Champions League places and 11 points away from the pace-setters Arsenal. Their crucial week kicks off with a trip to the Hammers on Sunday (2:05pm kick-off) but the Hammers have enjoyed a turnaround under Nuno Espirito Santo, winning two out of their last three.
"A lot of pressure if you work at a top club, even more so if you losing more than this club is used," Slot said.
"There is always pressure, last year it was to win the league but now it is a different pressure. Maybe my job is easier because I don't have to play. It's hard for every player, when we go down after five minutes and play well first half and then we concede second half, so we get knock after knock after knock.
"So we keep fighting. It is what we did so well last year and it is the minimum we expect over 90 minutes."