Liverpool fans have seen a number of high profile former players jump into the world of football management over recent seasons.
For a long time, the hope had been that when Jurgen Klopp was finally ready to leave the Reds, one of their greatest sons would end up replacing him.
However, by the time Klopp left in 2024, Steven Gerrard could not have been further from succeeding the German as manager.
Now unemployed following a stint in Saudi Arabia, Gerrard will unfortunately never become Liverpool manager.
The same is true of Jamie Carragher, who had once felt destined to go into coaching at the end of his playing career.
In a parallel universe Carragher would have taken charge of Liverpool in a successful managerial career. And when asked which of his former teammates he’d bring along for the ride as assistant, the former centre-back made an easy choice.
Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso high five after Liverpool's Premier League win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Xabi Alonso would be Jamie Carragher’s assistant
Despite his choice to go into punditry, there is little question that Carragher would have made a good manager.
Strong, assertive and possessing an encyclopaedic football brain, the Scouser frequently demonstrates his tactical acumen while covering games on the television.
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But which of his former teammates would have been his assistant on the touchline? That is the question posed by the team on The Overlap.
READ MORE: Former Liverpool hero set to become a free agent as Arne Slot searches for new forward
With one of his former Liverpool teammates currently holding one of, if not the, biggest job in football, it is an easy choice for Carragher.
“Xabi Alonso, he’s Real Madrid manager isn’t he,” said the Liverpool legend.
“He can do all the coaching, is it?” Roy Keane chimed in. “Yeah,” Carragher agreed. “I’ll just pick the team.”
Alonso kicks Real Madrid tenure off with a win
Unlike both Gerrard and Carragher, there is a possibility that Alonso does end up managing Liverpool in the future.
When Slot’s time with the Reds eventually ends, and the Spaniard is done at Madrid, there is a strong chance Alonso returns to Liverpool. That’s his plan, anyway.
In the meantime, he is in the hotseat at the Santiago Bernabeu, and on Tuesday Los Blancos started the new La Liga season with a win.
It was not completely straightforward for Real Madrid against Osasuna, and the Spanish media were not impressed with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his league debut, but Madrid got a 1-0 win.
While it was not the most auspicious of beginnings for Alonso, it is at least three points on the board as he continues his long road back to Anfield.