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Javi Martinez has backed Xabi Alonso to take over as Liverpool manager, insisting the Reds require a change of direction. Arne Slot finds himself under mounting pressure on Merseyside with the reigning Premier League champions languishing in sixth place and facing an uphill struggle to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Alonso was sacked from his position at Real Madrid earlier this month after their Supercopa final loss to Barcelona. His departure has coincided with renewed difficulties at Anfield for the Dutchman, who, despite steering the club through an unbeaten spell, oversaw a succession of lacklustre displays against opponents including Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley, intensifying the spotlight on his position.

Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth, combined with unfavourable results elsewhere, saw the Reds drop out of the top four and Champions League qualification spots. Manchester United and Chelsea have both experienced significant improvements since implementing their managerial changes earlier in the campaign, with sections of the Liverpool support calling for similar action.

Alonso is understood to be taking time out with his family after an exhausting three-year period spanning Bayer Leverkusen and Madrid. Nevertheless, Spanish media outlets continue to strongly associate the former midfielder with the Anfield role, with suggestions he would cut short his sabbatical to make a return to Merseyside.

His former Spain and Bayern Munich midfield partner Martinez delivered a ringing endorsement for Alonso to succeed Slot, arguing that change is necessary on Merseyside. Speaking on BEIN Sports, he said: "It's football [sack pressure months after winning league title], it's one of them things that doesn't rhyme well.

"I know some names come on the table, I heard about Xabi Alonso - not from him. I'm not saying anything... I think so [be a good fit], I think the Liverpool team needs a change. Xabi Alonso is a young coach that brings a lot of new things, it's [from] the Pep [Guardiola] school.

"He likes to play the way Cesc [Fabregas], Pep play and I think it will be a perfect match between Xabi Alonso and Liverpool. He played there, they love him, I don't know what happened with Real Madrid.

"I didn't speak to him, I sent him a message but he didn't reply but I did it the day after they sacked him so I think he switched off the phone. I was sure he'd be a success at Real Madrid, it's a special club, I'm sure if you bring Pep Guardiola he would not be successful."

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Alonso was viewed as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp after the legendary Liverpool boss's surprise exit at the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign.

During that period, the Spaniard had steered Bayer Leverkusen to an unexpected Bundesliga title, transforming the club's fortunes by reaching the Europa League final and claiming the DFB Pokal, coming agonisingly close to securing a historic treble.

The impending departure of Klopp coincided with Alonso's rise to the top of German football but occurred 12 months before Carlo Ancelotti departed his role at the Bernabeu.

Speaking last year, Alonso said: "At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the Leverkusen players and we were really focused on that. I've seen a lot of different things Klopp implemented here but I have followed Slot too.

"I know his approach but it is combined with the intensity here at Liverpool, they have a nice mixture and that is why they are top of Premier League and Champions League. In all areas they are really strong, so the process works really well.

"The manager has done a fantastic job in three months. Gakpo, Diaz, Tsimikas, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; they have so many options."