Richard Keys Has Already Identified the Surprise Manager He Believes Could Replace Arne Slot at Liverpool
Richard Keys has already revealed the surprise name he thinks will succeed Arne Slot at Liverpool. His claim came before the weekend’s 2-0 victory over West Ham, but after the flat 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield, his prediction feels even more relevant now.
A draw against the Premier League’s sixth-placed team — who have already taken points off Arsenal and Chelsea this season — isn’t a disaster on its own. But the manner of Liverpool’s performance has only fuelled speculation over Slot’s future, especially with the champions winning just four of their last 14 matches in all competitions.
No club looks closer to entering the managerial carousel than Liverpool right now, with around 15 potential candidates already linked should they decide to dismiss the Dutchman. The pool of available managers is hardly inspiring, but Keys believes there’s a short-term answer.
The beIN Sports host says that if Liverpool truly want Luis Enrique in the long run, they might need a temporary manager to bridge the gap — and he suggests a shock option: Steven Gerrard returning to Anfield. Keys argued (full clip below):
“He’s facing two major issues: Van Dijk and Salah have stopped playing for him. Before Brendan Rodgers, remember when Liverpool brought in Kenny Dalglish as a caretaker? Did Gerrard know this situation was unfolding when he turned down Rangers? I think Liverpool want Luis Enrique eventually, but PSG are highly unlikely to let him go. If that’s the case, they’ll need a babysitter.”
Landing last season’s Champions League–winning coach — arguably the best manager in the world right now — would be an enormous statement. And while Keys’ suggestion about pursuing Enrique makes sense, his Gerrard claim raises plenty of questions.
Yes, Gerrard halted Celtic’s dominance by winning the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, but his disappointing spells at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq highlighted how inexperienced he still is at the top level. That’s exactly why gambling on him would be risky and unnecessary for Liverpool.
Keys also ignores that Liverpool’s ambitions in 2011/12 were far lower, and Dalglish at least had a proven history of stabilising the club. Today, the Liverpool job is one of the most attractive roles in world football, and settling for short-term fixes is a mistake many clubs have already suffered from.
Chelsea’s failed experiment with Frank Lampard serves as a warning — returning legends can damage their own legacy when they’re not ready for such pressure. Bringing Gerrard in would be a misguided move by FSG, and sticking with Slot after 18 months of building a project is far more sensible than panicking into a temporary solution.