Richard Keys Has Already Identified the Surprise Manager He Believes Will Succeed Arne Slot at Liverpool
Richard Keys has already revealed the surprise candidate he thinks could replace Arne Slot at Liverpool. He made the claim before the Reds’ 2-0 win over West Ham at the weekend, but after another flat performance in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland, his prediction feels even more relevant.
Drawing with a team sitting sixth in the Premier League — one that has also taken points off both Arsenal and Chelsea — isn’t disastrous on its own. But the way Liverpool performed raises new questions about Slot’s future, especially with the champions winning only four of their last 14 games in all competitions.
No club seems closer to changing managers than Liverpool right now, with around 15 potential replacements already being linked. The market isn’t exactly inspiring, but Keys believes he’s identified a realistic short-term fix.
Keys Tips Steven Gerrard as a Temporary Appointment
The beIN Sports presenter argues that if Liverpool’s long-term aim is to bring in Luis Enrique, they might need an interim boss before moving for the Spaniard — and he believes Steven Gerrard could fill that gap. Keys said:
“Slot has two major issues: van Dijk and Salah have stopped playing for him. Before Brendan Rodgers, remember when Liverpool brought back Kenny Dalglish to guide them until the end of the season? Did Gerrard know this situation was unfolding when he turned down Rangers?
Long term, they want Luis Enrique. I don’t think PSG will allow it. So they’d need a babysitter.”
Landing the reigning Champions League–winning coach would be a huge move, but Keys’ Gerrard suggestion is what raises eyebrows.
Why Hiring Gerrard Would Be a Mistake for FSG
Gerrard’s Scottish Premiership title with Rangers was impressive, but poor spells at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq highlighted his lack of managerial experience at the highest level. That alone makes a short-term gamble on him both unnecessary and risky.
Keys also ignores how different Liverpool’s standards were in 2011/12. Dalglish had already proven he could stabilise the club when the board turned to him. Today, the Liverpool job is one of the most appealing in world football, and settling for a temporary “patch-up” appointment would be a step backwards.
Chelsea’s decision to bring back Frank Lampard should serve as a warning — it damaged his legacy and achieved little. Bringing Gerrard back could have the same effect. Sticking with Slot, who has been shaping the team for 18 months, is far more logical than chasing a short-term fix.