The midfield icon last managed in January 2025 and turned down the chance to coach Gers for a second time last October
15:28, 21 Apr 2026Updated 15:29, 21 Apr 2026
Former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard
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Former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard (Image: PA)
It's been a disastrous season for Liverpool, with large sections of fans calling for Arne Slot to be given the boot less than 12 months on from delivering league title number 20 at Anfield.
But while some supporters are on board with the idea of appointing club icon Steven Gerrard as boss in an interim capacity until the summer one of Gerrard's old teammates has been tipped to land the job at some point - and it's not Xabi Alonso.
Rangers hero Gerrard has been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January 2025 and turned down the chance to manage the Light Blues for a second time last October in the wake of Russell Martin's sacking.
The Liverpool legend has hinted that he would be open to a dugout return if the right opportunity comes along and recently stated that he is willing to help his boyhood club in anyway he can.
Disgruntled fans on Merseyside are calling for Alonso to replace Slot, with the ex midfield maestro available after getting the boot at Real Madrid at the turn of the year.
But Fernando Llorente reckons Gerrard's former partner in crime Fernando Torres has what it takes to manage the Merseyside giants one day.
The duo formed a deadly partnership at Anfield between 2007 and 2011, with Gerrard often labelling the Spaniard as the second best player he ever played with behind Luis Suarez.
Torres has risen through the coaching ranks at his hometown club Atletico Madrid and was appointed as head coach of Rojiblancos in 2024.
And Llorente - who won the World Cup and European Championships with his country as well as three Serie A titles with Juventus - firmly believes his old international teammate his destined to manage at the top level.
Speaking to Hajper, he said: "Fernando Torres as Liverpool manager one day? Definitely.
"He's taken a different path to Cesc Fabregas, he has been patient and has preferred to start little by little with the youth team, gaining experience.
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Atletico Madrid B head coach Fernando Torres(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
"I think Fernando will become a great coach because he had an incredible career, knows a lot about football and has surely been preparing for the right moment to make the jump."
It comes after former Atleti coach Armando de la Morena also backed the 42-year-old for big things in the coaching game.
A coach like Fernando, knowing his career a bit, as a player and always with the respect that he has acted, has the conditions to be a great coach", he stated.
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"I know it from the players too, who tell me wonders about him, how he transmits, how he gives them the concepts.
"So what I see in him is that if everything is going the right way, then we have a future coach for Spanish football and for Atletico and hopefully for the national team as well. Whatever he wants.
"He spoke very well to you even when he was still a kid, 17, 18 years old. He is always respectable both on and off the field, for his manners and behaviour. After all, a coach has to be that. An example both outside and inside the field. And he meets those conditions."