Frimpong Backs Alonso for Liverpool Job as Slot's Old Ally Launches Defence

The pressure is mounting on Arne Slot at Liverpool following a torrid run of results, but his former staff are rallying to his defence while speculation swirls around potential successors.

Three consecutive defeats across different competitions have left Slot's position under intense scrutiny. A 2-1 reverse at Brighton dealt a blow to Champions League qualification hopes via a top-five Premier League finish, while a 4-0 thrashing by Manchester City extinguished the Reds' FA Cup dreams. Things got worse midweek in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against PSG, where Slot's experimental back-five formation proved disastrous in a 2-0 defeat to the reigning champions.

With the pressure mounting, Slot will take his side to face Fulham at home on Saturday, having insisted to the media that he retains the backing of Liverpool's hierarchy despite the growing sack speculation.

Xabi Alonso remains the bookmakers' favourite to take over at Anfield should Slot depart, and that narrative received fresh fuel from an unlikely source. Jeremie Frimpong, speaking to Men in Blazers, has delivered glowing tributes to his former Bayer Leverkusen manager.

"He's a great player, a legend," Frimpong explained. "He knows the game inside out. When you have a coach of his calibre, you listen. He's got all the experience you need. From day one, he understood how to get the best from me—my pace, my ability to beat defenders. He'd work with us on final-third positioning, timing runs to stay onside. That's the level of detail he brings."

Frimpong's endorsement will hardly dampen speculation that Alonso could be heading to Merseyside before the summer window closes.

But not everyone is ready to write Slot off just yet. Marino Pusic, who worked alongside Slot at both AZ and Feyenoord before declining a move to Liverpool, has launched a spirited defence of his former boss in an interview with Dutch publication Voetbal International.

"Arne deserves considerably more credit than he's currently receiving," Pusic stated. "People overlook how rarely Liverpool have won the league title in recent times. Arne managed it in his first season, yet Jurgen Klopp only claimed one Premier League title himself. Before Arne arrived, you have to go back to 1990 for Liverpool's last championship. Now there's an expectation he'll win back-to-back titles, especially after significant investment. That's not how football works."

Pusic, who praised Slot's coaching philosophy, demeanour and man-management skills, urged patience from the Anfield faithful. He also highlighted the quality of Slot's backroom team, including Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

"Working with Arne was genuinely enjoyable," Pusic added. "We've developed a special relationship that's become genuine friendship. He's among the finest coaches in world football—his approach, his football principles, how he communicates them, his professionalism. I can only speak in the highest terms about him."

Most Liverpool reporters believe Slot will be afforded a second season to salvage the campaign. However, The Times' Paul Joyce has suggested that failure to secure Champions League qualification could "test FSG's resolve."