Steven Gerrard has been advised against taking the Liverpool job, despite receiving high praise from a former adversary. The current Premier League champions have had a nightmarish defence of their title, losing six out of their last eight league matches.
Although they managed to secure a 2-0 victory over West Ham last Sunday, Arne Slot's team is still in a precarious position with the Dutchman under considerable pressure.
Fan confidence in Slot hit rock bottom following Liverpool's 4-1 home defeat to PSV in the Champions League, with supporters audibly expressing their displeasure at the end of last week's European match. In the midst of Liverpool's dismal run, rumors about potential replacements for Slot have been rife. Gerrard's name has been floated as a possible candidate for the top job at the club where he spent most of his career.
While a return to his old haunt would make for a fantastic narrative for a player who rose through the ranks to become one of the club's all-time greats, it would be a misguided decision, according to former colleague Jamie Carragher.
During The Overlap Fan Debate, the Reds legend was asked about the rumors of Gerrard taking the reins at Anfield, to which he responded: "No, I wouldn't imagine. He's been a manager at Villa and had great success at Rangers as well.
Steven Gerrard.
Steven Gerrard. (Image: PA)
"He's a legendary figure and he's back, floating down Liverpool. I don't think most Liverpool fans will be screaming for Steven Gerrard – everyone is desperate for it to work for Arne Slot. They're on such a bad run, the flipside of that is then how long does it carry on?".
Carragher's view was echoed by former team-mate Emile Heskey, who recently argued that Gerrard requires further managerial experience before taking charge of a club of Liverpool's stature. Speaking via BetBrain, the former England striker said: "He needs more experience.
"He definitely needs more experience because you're going into the biggest job, or one of the biggest jobs in the world, the scrutiny of everything you do or say or what the players do comes back on you.
"He'll need a lot more experience to jump into that hot seat to be honest. He'll get linked to jobs, he'll get asked to come in and interview for jobs, it's up to him what he actually wants to do."
Despite Carragher and Heskey's assessments, Rio Ferdinand told Gerrard himself to stand ready for a potential approach from Liverpool should their dismal form persist. The Manchester United legend, who enjoyed numerous battles against Gerrard and the Merseyside club, suggested that supporter pressure could lead to the former Reds captain being installed as Slot's successor.
"I was in Qatar over the last few days with Steven Gerrard," Ferdinand revealed on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, following their attendance at the Qatar Grand Prix together. "I was saying to him over some food the other day, 'Listen, you need to sharpen your tools mate.
Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard on the grid with the Alpine F1 team prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit
Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard on the grid with the Alpine F1 team prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit (Image: 2025 Getty Images)
"Sharpen your tools, get them ready, because you could be going back in as interim boss'. There are so many games coming up that I was thinking I don't see Slot getting through all of them in good enough condition, and I think the pressure from the terraces and the fan base might get too much and they might make a decision.
"In that climate, with someone like Steven Gerrard sitting there, a legend of the club – forget his tenures at different clubs. There's a legend of the football club ready to come in and just steady the ship for them. I wouldn't have been surprised if Steven Gerrard had gotten a call."