Ally McCoist sends 'panic button' message to Liverpool with Xabi Alonso available

Liverpool has struggled for form so far this season with Arne Slot under pressure to improve performances and results, and Xabi Alonso now available after leaving Real Madrid

TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist has offered his opinion(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot deserves more time to turn things around at Anfield after winning the league title last season and spending big money in the summer.

That is the view of TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist, with Slot under increasing pressure to improve both performances and results. Liverpool is fourth in the Premier League standings but has drawn each of its last four games in that competition.

With Real Madrid having fired Xabi Alonso, the availability of the former Liverpool midfielder, who showed his talent as a coach when he was at Bayer Leverkusen, means speculation and chatter about the Reds making a change is inevitable.

The longer Liverpool goes without seeing more wins and greater levels of entertainment, the louder the talk that Alonso could be the answer will get.

"It would increase, there's no doubt about that," McCoist said on talkSPORT. "Their previous manager was sensational, but Liverpool hadn't won a title since 1990 and Jurgen Klopp won one title in nine [seasons].

"Klopp was brilliant, everyone loved him and so they should, he was great for football. This fella has come in, he won the title in his first year, and standards have dropped.

"Bizarrely, in my opinion, people are questioning his job. You must give [him time]... the guy has come in and won the title, he has spent a right few quid and is rebuilding the team, some of the signings haven't hit the ground running.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is under pressure(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

"I've seen Liverpool a good few times this season and even their comfortable result against Barnsley, I didn't think they were brilliant.

"I just think it's where we are in this day and age. It's a sack and remove culture from every team; it doesn't matter who you are. If you're not getting results, let's sack the manager.

"Arne Slot has deservedly won the league last year by a country mile with the best team. Yes, things haven't gone to plan, but they've got Brighton in the FA Cup and are still in the Champions League."

Alonso is expected to take his time when picking his next job. Tottenham, a team that could fire Thomas Frank, has been linked with him, while there will be no shortage of offers when he decides to return.

"Liverpool fans, who are quite rightly judged with the best fans in the world, will assess the situation and say: 'Come on, let's give the guy time, he's won us a title'," McCoist continued.

"OK, they're not going to win the title this year, but there's no need to hit the panic button.

"Expectations rise because he's obviously brought in quality players. Whether it's Isak, Wirtz, Kerkez, Frimpong... most of them, Ekitike aside, haven't hit the ground running as they'd like to.

"With the Alonso situation leaving Real Madrid, there will be voices within Liverpool fans who will say, 'Let's get Alonso' - but I don't think it should be done.

"If we're sacking managers who win the league, and I know Real Madrid are probably renowned for doing it, it's going down a road I don't want to see any team going down."

Liverpool.com says: Slot needs to find a way of making his team more creative because while the shot stats against Burnley show the Reds took lots of attempts, few were really big opportunities.

There was always a possibility that the scoreline would be leveled as long as Liverpool didn't move more than one goal in front. Ultimately, wins, not entertainment, will keep Slot in his job.