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Danny Murphy has argued that Luis Enrique, rather than Xabi Alonso, should be the man to step into the hotseat should Liverpool decide to make a managerial change this summer. The Reds have given no indication that they are looking to part company with Slot following a challenging defence of the Premier League crown he led them to in commanding style last season.

Yet that has done little to quell growing speculation surrounding a potential change in the dugout, despite Liverpool remaining firmly in contention for Champions League qualification. Alonso has been touted as a potential successor to Slot ever since being dismissed as Real Madrid manager earlier this year, following a short and unsuccessful spell at the Bernabeu.

However, former Liverpool midfielder Murphy is convinced that Enrique would be the ideal appointment at Anfield, should he opt to pursue a new venture after Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

"For me, there is one outstanding candidate - Luis Enrique," said Murphy. "Could Liverpool maybe tempt him, especially if he wins the Champions League again? Maybe he would feel like he needs a new challenge.

"He is a phenomenal coach and when you watch PSG play, you kind of feel that is how I want my team to play.

"I am torn, just like a lot of Liverpool fans are. A part of me does feel like Arne Slot deserves the chance to redeem himself after his brilliant first season. The circumstances he has had to deal with this season have been tough in many ways.

"But if there is somebody out there who feels they can move the team more forward quickly, then yes, make the change.

"The biggest thing is that I have very rarely seen a Liverpool fanbase, a majority of the fanbase, turn on a manager quite so quickly through a bad spell."

Speaking to Betarades.gr, Murphy added: "Xabi Alonso is an outstanding new manager and he has that connection with the Liverpool fans, which always helps from an emotional point of view. There has been a lot of talk recently about the manager's connection with the fans - or maybe lack of connection.

"The only thing with Xabi Alonso is that he primarily is a possession-based manager, just like Arne Slot to a degree. I think Liverpool fans, at least from what we know, want a more risky, high energy and all in type of football.

"But he is a super, young coach so it wouldn't surprise me if we see him as a Liverpool manager at some point.

"My gut feeling is that it would be a risk but every manager is a risk, especially when you are trying to compete with Manchester City and Arsenal. There is no guarantee."