Xabi Alonso leaving Real Madrid means an obvious candidate is available should Liverpool opt to change head coach, and one ex-Red Jermaine Pennant is clearly excited about the prospect
18:36, 21 Jan 2026
Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso
Jermaine Pennant has revealed Steven Gerrard wants Liverpool to show Arne Slot patience(Image: )
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has revealed that Steven Gerrard wants Arne Slot to be given time to turn things around at Anfield, and is not pushing for his former teammate Xabi Alonso to take over as head coach.
The Spaniard’s exit from Real Madrid has upped the stakes for Slot, who is facing increasing pressure given Liverpool’s underwhelming run of performances. The Reds have drawn their last four Premier League matches and are currently trailing leaders Arsenal by 14 points.
Should Liverpool decide to change head coach, many view Alonso as the ideal candidate. A former player who has already experienced success in a major European league, Alonso is seen as one of the most progressive young coaches in world soccer.
READ MORE: Arne Slot makes honest admission over Liverpool 'pressure' amid firing speculationREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher gives telling verdict on Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid exit
Pennant is certainly intrigued by the possibility of the 44-year-old’s arrival at Liverpool, and even revealed he messaged Gerrard asking whether he would be interested in a role on Alonso’s coaching team.
“Look, full credit to him. He says: ‘Do you know what, I wouldn't wish anyone getting sacked,’” Pennant said on talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool YouTube show.
“‘I don't want any manager to get sacked. Let's just give him time.’ That's his words. I just said: ‘Stevie, we need you. Please get in.’
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Former player Steven Gerrard pictured ahead of the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 17, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images)
Gerrard wants Slot to be given time at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
“He goes: ‘I wouldn't want any manager to get sacked. He will turn it around. Let's just give him some time.’”
Pennant, who lined up alongside Gerrard and Alonso during his Liverpool career, feels Gerrard would strike a chord with the players due to his demanding nature, which the former Birmingham City star experienced firsthand as a player.
“We talk about Stevie, he was my captain and a leader. There was no way that it would be any different as a manager,” said Pennant.
Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso reacts during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah on January 11, 2026. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)
Alonso is likely to be the hottest head coach on the market in the coming months(Image: Getty Images)
“Everything about him is Liverpool. He would get the basics because he demanded it of his players when he was playing underneath them. You could hear him from miles away, shouting: ‘Press, close down, tuck in, get back’; it was like a quarterback.
“He would get a more energetic tune out of these players. The ability is there, we all know that.
“He would be getting them closing down, putting challenges in, tackling, giving no-one no time or space, especially when they come to Anfield.
“He knew what it was like when teams came to Anfield, what was asked of us to make it difficult for everybody.
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“So the first thing he would do, when teams come here, make it disgusting, make it horrible, don't give him a minute, don't give him a second. It's not major things we need to change; it's just little slight tweaks here and there. I think if he were to come in, you would definitely see a different team.”