Jamie Carragher expresses concern about Liverpool targeting Andoni Iraola as Arne Slot’s replacement, favouring Xabi Alonso instead. Carragher questions whether Liverpool’s squad matches Iraola’s demanding pressing style. The situation develops after a disappointing title defence and the decision to dismiss Slot, who guided Liverpool to a league crown only one season earlier.

Liverpool removed Slot just over a year after winning a 20th English top-flight title, and their second of the Premier League era. The club invested around £450m on Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. However, that spending failed to prevent a major drop in performance during the 2025-26 campaign.

The scale of Liverpool’s decline is clear from their points totals. Slot’s side collected 84 points in the 2024-25 title season. That figure fell to 60 in 2025-26. The 24-point difference is the biggest drop recorded by any ever-present Premier League club across the last two seasons.

Carragher believes the choice of successor is vital after such a sharp downturn. Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso has long been linked with Anfield and was seen by many supporters as a natural appointment. Instead, Alonso is set to become Chelsea head coach on 1 July after leaving Real Madrid in January.

Reports in England indicate Liverpool are now close to reaching an agreement with Iraola. The Spanish coach left Bournemouth after three seasons and is known for a high-energy, front-foot style. Carragher worries that this approach may not suit the current Liverpool squad, especially after a period of transition under Slot.

“If Liverpool chose Iraola over Alonso, it is very worrying for Liverpool, Carragher said on The Overlap. If it is because Alonso wants to play a back three, or his style of play, fair enough. But I am not sure Liverpool havethe players to play Iraola’s high-pressing game.”

Last season’s Premier League data highlights Iraola’s intense pressing philosophy. Bournemouth forced 298 high turnovers, ranking third behind Manchester City with 333 and Brighton with 332. Liverpool were not far behind on 285, which placed the team fifth. These figures suggest Liverpool already press well, though perhaps in a different structure.

Shots created from those high turnovers followed a similar pattern. Bournemouth again ranked third with 57, while Liverpool sat fifth with 52. A key difference emerged in finishing. Liverpool scored 10 league goals from such situations, more than any other side. Iraola’s Bournemouth did not match that output despite generating frequent chances from pressure.

{TABLE_1}

The comparison of Liverpool’s points under Slot helps explain the pressure around this decision. The club moved from champions to a lower points return despite heavy recruitment across the squad. Supporters and analysts now question whether a new coach should match existing strengths or attempt a stronger tactical reset.

{TABLE_2}

Liverpool Andoni Iraola Xabi Alonso debate linked to Wirtz and Leverkusen

Carragher also points to Alonso’s work with Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen as a missed opportunity for Liverpool. Under Alonso, Leverkusen won a domestic double in 2023-24. During that season, Wirtz recorded 37 goal involvements in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and providing 19 assists for the German club.

“I would have changed him [Slot] for Xabi Alonso. As soon as he went to Chelsea, I was thinking that I would keep Slot, Carragher added. When I was thinking about Alonso, it was also because he got the best out of Florian Wirtz. If you were going to change it, why was it not for Alonso? With Alonso, you have an incredible playing CV, the managers he has been coached by, what he did at Leverkusen. He has managed Real Madrid. I know it didn’t go well, but he is used to that pressure and scrutiny.”

Carragher’s comments underline the belief that Alonso’s playing background and experience at clubs such as Real Madrid suit Liverpool’s expectations. The track record at Leverkusen, particularly with Wirtz, strengthens that argument. The decision to move for Iraola instead therefore raises questions about Liverpool’s long-term tactical direction.