Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Fri 27 March 2026 6:00, UK

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Liverpool have been backed to appoint Xabi Alonso as their next manager with the coach possessing the ability to revive both Milos Kerkez’s and Jeremie Frimpong’s careers at Anfield.

Arne Slot is under serious pressure at the Reds, with Champions League qualification under serious threat.

As a result, Alonso has been heavily linked with a potential switch to Anfield after departing Real Madrid in January.

Now, while people may speculate if the Spaniard can do a good job considering his work at the Spanish capital, there is no doubt that he will be able to improve the lives of Kerkez and Frimpong.

Below, Football Insider explores what an Alonso Liverpool appointment could bring to the full-backs.

Could Xabi Alonso fix Liverpool’s full-back problems?

Alonso is no doubt one of the best managers in football at present.

Despite his failures at Real Madrid, his work at Bayer Leverkusen was outstanding as he led them to not only an unlikely Bundesliga title, but they also did it unbeaten, the first club to ever do so.

The Spaniard tactics were also impressive, with the German side having an aggressive, attacking-based possession system, with a big emphasis on wing-backs.

This could easily be replicated at Liverpool, with Jeremie Frimpong previously part of Alonso’s system, while Milos Kerkez can also play in wing-back.

Under Slot, Liverpool’s full-backs have become a big issue, with the manager seemingly not knowing what to do with Frimpong, while Kerkez has been hit and miss throughout the season, which has led to him being dropped to the bench from time to time.

However, under Alonso’s system, they will be given more freedom to attack, something they both thrive off, with the Hungary international even scoring past Brighton and Hove Albion on the weekend.

Therefore, Alonso may be able to get the best out of the duo and revive their careers, something Slot has struggled to do so far since signing them.

Who else is linked with the Liverpool job?

With Football Insider exclusively revealing that Alonso was a leading candidate for the Liverpool job if Slot is sacked, it is no surprise that he is the big favourite with the bookies.

However, plenty of other managers remain as outsiders for the role.

Luis Enrique remains the second favourite at 8/1, with his contract yet to be sorted out at Paris Saint-Germain, with it set to expire in 2027.

Oliver Glasner has also now emerged as an outsider, alongside Julian Nagelsmann at 12/1.

The Crystal Palace manager is set to depart the club in the summer when his contract expires, and could still lift a third trophy within a year if he wins the Conference League.

A return for Jurgen Klopp is still also highly speculated upon at 14/1. The former Liverpool boss is yet to step back into the dugout since leaving Anfield as a legend back in 2024.