Richard Hughes is a big fan of two Xabi Alonso alternatives

Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes is a big fan of two Xabi Alonso alternatives. The Reds are about to pick their new manager.

Liverpool announced their new sporting director on Wednesday - Richard Hughes. It was a widely expected appointment, with Hughes having already decided to step down from Bournemouth at the end of the season.

Hughes will now take over at Anfield - starting from June 1st, at least. With the appointment, the Reds can finally kickstart their efforts to find Jurgen Klopp's replacement as Liverpool manager.

The club have been holding off on their search as they wanted to find their sporting director first. They've now done that and, per the Telegraph, they can now 'accelerate their search'.

And that could just mean a particular focus on two Xabi Alonso alternatives.

Richard Hughes to join Liverpool

Xabi Alonso is the favourite to take over at Liverpool - or at least, he tops their shortlist. But he's far from the only name on it.

Two names that could be set for a boost, though, are those with real links to Hughes. The first is Roberto De Zerbi, with the Brighton boss having been linked with the job ever since Klopp announced he was stepping down.

And per a report from The Times, Hughes actually tried to hire De Zerbi for Bournemouth but a change in ownership at the wrong time cost him his choice. Instead, the Italian went to Brighton.

There are also obvious links to Eddie Howe. Hughes worked closely with Howe at Bournemouth but their relationship goes back to time at Portsmouth together. Again, The Times details how they were a part of a 'core group' at Pompey that sought analysis - a group that also featured Michael Edwards and current Wolves boss, Gary O'Neil (who was briefly a coach at Liverpool).

The Athletic claimed at the end of last month that both Howe and De Zerbi were liked at Anfield but neither were expected to 'make the final shortlist'. Hughes' appointment could change that, however - he's a fan of both and if the Reds can't land Alonso, here are two alternatives with real support.