Liverpool supporters have been debating who could manage their club if the axe swings on Arne Slot.
Slot has faced a difficult period with the Reds, leading them to only five wins from their last 16 games. The Dutchman is quite rightly under pressure for his job.
The scrutiny has been ramped up further with former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso looking likely to be sacked by Real Madrid.
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Alonso has not been given the boot by Madrid just yet, but it appears only a matter of time before he is available once again. With a legitimate candidate waiting in the wings, Slot may start to look like a dead man walking.
While Alonso would be a popular choice with supporters at Anfield, though, he would not be the only manager under consideration. And according to former teammate John Arne Riise, there is another Liverpool legend who should get the chance instead.
John Arne Riise backs Steven Gerrard for Liverpool job
Despite Alonso currently being the higher profile manager, Riise suggested that Steven Gerrard has more chance of ending up in the Anfield dugout.
“I would have said Xabi Alonso before he signed for Real Madrid, but now, because he’s at Madrid, I think Gerrard is likely to beat him to it,” the Norwegian told FootItalia.
Liverpool lifting the 2005 Champions League title.
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“I’m not sure Gerrard has totally proven himself as a manager, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to be a great manager. I think he’s looking to get back into the swing of things now. Obviously he was very close to going back to Rangers recently. I think he’s looking to take things step by step.
“Xabi Alonso is at Real Madrid, but if things don’t work out for him in Spain, Liverpool is a massive job.
“I’m sure though, like me, the fans will want to see Steve G in the dugout at Anfield at one point in his career.”
As fall-out from Mohamed Salah’s ill-advised outburst continues this week, Gerrard has legitimately outed himself as someone who Liverpool could turn to.
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Mohamed Salah arrives at Elland Road ahead of Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United. Steven Gerrard watches on during Al Ettifaq's Saudi Pro League match against Al Shabab.
Credit: Getty Images/Yasser Bakhsh
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Gerrard shows why he could still have hope of Liverpool return
Gerrard spoke brilliantly about Salah’s situation during a TNT Sports broadcast on Wednesday. The Scouser approached things with a level head, outlining the fault of the player but also suggesting how things can be repaired.
Calling on his own experience of mediating for Brendan Rodgers and Luis Suarez more than 10 years ago, Gerrard showed that he knows exactly how to resolve conflict within the club.
As Riise says, his management experience has not been the best so far, but it is easy to forget that Gerrard broke the Celtic hegemony in Scotland, delivering an exceptional Invincibles season.
What Liverpool need right now is a leader who can pull them back together and reconnect properly with the fanbase. Gerrard would be the ultimate figure to do that.
But the legendary former captain would not just be a figurehead, he is a born winner who would relish the chance to take his club and return it to the top. Slot has bought himself some time by beating Inter Milan this week, but if things start to slide again, Gerrard should be in the conversation to replace him.
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