World Cup winner claims former Chelsea boss is 'perfect' candidate for Liverpool

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot is under pressure to turn things around at Anfield, with Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi tipping a new name as a possible replacement

Former Italy international Marco Materazzi during the FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off draw.(Image: Marcio Machado - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

World Cup winner Marco Materazzi has tipped Liverpool to hold an interest in a former Chelsea manager if it decides to part ways with Arne Slot.

While the ideal scenario would be that Slot turns things around at Anfield, Xabi Alonso has been speculated as one obvious available option. But Materazzi says that Enzo Maresca, who has been out of work since leaving Chelsea earlier in the season, could be someone else to consider, with the Italian being linked with a variety of roles during his time off.

"Can Enzo Maresca make Real Madrid into champions again? Yes, why not!" Materazzi told Hajper.

"He speaks very good Spanish because he was at Sevilla. But I think Maresca also has a good opportunity to get a job in the Premier League for next season too.

"Newcastle United? Not for me. Manchester United would be a good move for Maresca but he’s too connected to Manchester City [as former assistant to Pep Guardiola] to make that happen.

"I think Liverpool would be the best fit for Enzo Maresca. He is the perfect coach to lead a rebuild at Liverpool to create a new vision for the team."

Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot before Chelsea vs Liverpool.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Earlier this week, Liverpool lost 2-0 against PSG in the Champions League. Progressing in that competition was always going to be a tough ask, but qualifying for the next edition is vital.

"Of course [playing so defensively is] not the plan and of course you think you can do better and when you press them you can force them to mistakes," Slot said.

"But I think the way you describe it is the perfect way to describe it. We were in survival mode for large parts of the game but maybe also in the period of the season we are in, we are in survival mode.

"So to try to find ways where we can try to make sure that their qualities are not seen that much, but that’s really, really, really hard against this team, because last season we were in survival mode as well.

"But as I said, Paris Saint-Germain was the better team, but we didn’t give up. That’s why we have a chance now still in this tie, because they kept us alive by not scoring a few open chances.

"And now, we can bring the tie back to Anfield, but in between there is still a very important game to play for us against Fulham."

Liverpool.com says: Maresca is clearly a good coach, but he feels like much more of a Manchester City coach than a Liverpool one. The hope at Anfield is that Slot can turn things around, but that feels a long way off right now.