Xabi Alonso will "one day" get an opportunity to manage Liverpool, according to his former team-mate Glen Johnson, but speculation right now is "harsh" on current Anfield boss Arne Slot.

Alonso and Johnson played together on Merseyside under Rafael Benitez, before the Spanish midfielder moved on to Real Madrid and then Bayern Munich.

Now, having been sacked as Madrid head coach earlier this month, Alonso is the subject of much discussion about a potential return to Liverpool to replace Slot.

Prior to a short, difficult spell in charge of Madrid, Alonso had proven himself by guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title, earning a reputation as one of Europe's best young coaches.

That reputation and his history at Anfield might make the 44-year-old a popular appointment among Liverpool fans, but Slot is still just months on from delivering a Premier League title.

While this has been a far more difficult second season in England, with the Reds 14 points off the pace in sixth, Johnson wants to see Slot given time before Alonso gets a shot at the job.

"There's always going to be questions in the biggest clubs with the biggest managers, as soon as some form dips or results don't start going your way," Johnson told Stats Perform.

"I think you have to respect how good of a job [Slot] has done. He's obviously still a fantastic manager. Yes, they're not performing to the level that they're used to, but you're always going to be under pressure in a job like that. That's understandable.

"I think we should definitely give him time. What he's achieved so far warrants that. And hopefully he'll have time to turn it around.

"There's always speculation. Probably every manager in the league's got a target on their back. Somebody else wants that job. Someone wants them fired. Someone wants them to stay.

"So, that's the hot seat that they're in. [Speculation about Alonso] is always going to happen.

"Obviously, Xabi's done a great job, especially early on for such a young manager, of course. And obviously, with his connection to Liverpool, there's always going to be that connection, the same with Stevie [Gerrard].

"So, I'm sure one day he'll get a look in, but I think it'd be a bit harsh on Arne to sort of lean on him with that sort of pressure right now."