Xabi Alonso is the name dominating the manager discourse at Liverpool, but Tim Sherwood thinks another winning coach could be the way to go.
Arne Slot is still the man in charge at Liverpool, but his grip on the job is loosening with each disappointing result.
The big news to start the week is that Alonso really wants to join Liverpool. That’s coming from his camp.
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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
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He’s not the only option, though. Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood thinks the Reds should look a bit closer to home.
Tim Sherwood would like to see Liverpool hire Oliver Glasner, and soon
Alonso is the romantic choice. He has made history at the club and is widely adored by the fans.
But you can’t shrug off what Oliver Glasner has achieved at Crystal Palace. He took The Eagles to their first-ever major trophy, beating Man City in the FA Cup final back in May.
The Austrian followed that up with a Community Shield win over Liverpool at the start of this season.
Oliver Glasner, Manager of Crystal Palace, and Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, interact prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
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He’s a brilliant coach, and one whose time at Palace is coming to an end.
Sherwood thinks he is the man for the Liverpool job.
He tells Sky Sports: “I was talking about it earlier with Glasner. In my opinion, if Palace had someone to bring in and he wasn’t in work, I’d bring him in now, let him have a look at the squad before you go into the summer market.”
It’s a point that has been raised by many a Liverpool fan. Why wait until the end of the season, if a manager change is the plan? Let someone have a few months to acclimatise, with the aim of getting back to competing for a title next year.
Slot is backing Liverpool for a top-four finish. Where do you think the Reds will end 25/26?
Slot predicted Liverpool will earn Champions League football in his pre-Bournemouth press conference!
Arne Slot prior to Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
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Glasner’s system doesn’t suit Liverpool with how the squad is currently built, so if he was to come, it would require plenty of personnel changes. His preferred back-three setup would mean even more recruitment at centre-back.
That’s really the only snag, though. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are the perfect profile for Glasner’s wide approach, and it might even allow for a front-two of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, with three midfielders behind.
Alonso is probably still the best candidate, but Sherwood’s suggestion isn’t crazy. This is a coach who knows how to win, and who can fix Liverpool’s defensive issues on day one.
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