Javi Martinez has backed Xabi Alonso to take over as Liverpool manager, insisting the Reds require a shake-up. Arne Slot is facing mounting pressure on Merseyside with the Premier League champions languishing in sixth place and confronting a fight to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

The former Liverpool midfielder was sacked by Real Madrid at the start of January after their Supercopa final loss to Barcelona. His departure came alongside renewed difficulties at Anfield for the Dutchman, who despite guiding the club through an unbeaten spell, oversaw a series of lacklustre displays against the likes of Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley that triggered increased scrutiny.

Saturday's defeat to Bournemouth, combined with other results not falling their way, saw the Reds drop out of the top four and Champions League spots. Manchester United and Chelsea have both experienced revivals since making their managerial switches earlier this campaign, with Liverpool being urged by some quarters to do likewise.

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Alonso is reportedly spending quality time with his family after an exhausting three-year period with Bayer Leverkusen followed by Real Madrid. Nevertheless, reports from Spain continue to strongly connect the former midfielder with the Anfield position, with suggestions he would cut short his break from management to return to Merseyside.

On Wednesday, former Spain and Bayern Munich colleague Martinez delivered a ringing endorsement for Alonso to succeed Slot, arguing that change is necessary on Merseyside.

He said speaking on BEIN Sports: "It's football [sack pressure months after winning league title], it's one of them things that doesn't rhyme well.

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"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, 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."

Alonso was viewed as a potential candidate to succeed 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 as he revolutionised their fortunes, leading them to the Europa League final and securing the DFB Pokal, coming agonisingly close to a historic treble.

Klopp's imminent exit coincided with Alonso's rise to the top of German football but occurred 12 months prior to Carlo Ancelotti vacating 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."