Brad Friedel has told Liverpool that Xabi Alonso would be a good option to replace manager Arne Slott. But the former Reds shot-stopper admitted he would be surprised if the Dutchman was sacked.
The Premier League-winning tactician faces a make-or-break week, with important games against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds looming. Liverpool are desperately trying to end an alarming slump after consecutive humiliating defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven. Sean Dyche’s side stunned Anfield with a surprise 3-0 win at Forest before the Reds capitulated during the Champions League in midweek. Liverpool have now lost nine of their last 12 games following consecutive defeats after the international break.
Friedel believes Alonso is qualified to reinvigorate Liverpool should the club choose to change managers. He said in an interview with talkSPORT BET: “Xabi Alonso would be a great option, but a lot of things would need to happen for that move to become realistic.
“He’s a top manager and will do really well for them.” Bookmakers have both Jurgen Klopp and Alonso as favorites for Anfield’s hot seat, as Slott’s position becomes increasingly precarious.
Alonso’s own situation at Real Madrid remains uncertain following his summer move from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Carlo Ancelotti. There have been reports of discord in the Bernabéu changing room since his appointment, suggesting the Spanish tactician may also be facing difficulties.
Despite this, Friedel expressed concern over the possibility of Liverpool parting ways with Slott and the Bundesliga champions returning to Merseyside. He continued: “But Liverpool have historically not been a club that hires and fires. It would be really surprising if they had won the Premier League just a few months ago and invested in a player for him and then slotted him out. That would be very un-Liverpool-like.”
“Financially, missing out on Champions League qualification complicates the situation, but it still seems very unlikely to replace a Premier League-winning manager with the current manager of a La Liga first team. Liverpool fans will welcome Alonso, no doubt, but I don’t think that will happen.”
The Reds currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table, behind local rivals Manchester United and Everton. They are three points outside of the Champions League places and are 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool have a big week ahead of them, starting with Sunday’s game against West Ham (kick-off 2.05pm), where the Hammers have improved under manager Nuno Espirito Santo, winning two of their last three games. As rumors of his sacking grow, Liverpool icons Steve McManaman and Steven Gerrard have agreed that it is too early to think there is a risk of him being sacked.
The former Real Madrid star said: “I think no. I think it’s too early given what he’s achieved this year and where we are now. I completely understand the question, but in this series of games it’s too early to ask such a question when Liverpool are still competing in the Champions League. They will be eliminated from the Champions League and languish at the bottom of the league.”
“I think they play Arsenal in the second week of January and the question should be asked then. Hopefully they’re moving up the table. We’ve got to give him time to build up as he’s been injured a lot. They’re players who are expected to come in and lift the team.”
