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Just when Liverpool fans thought this season couldn't get any worse, it did.
The Reds dropped two more points in the Premier League on Saturday, as Ao Tanaka scored a 96th-minute equalizer for Leeds at Elland Road. Star player Mohamed Salah then created even more headlines by claiming Liverpool has "thrown him under the bus" and that he has "no relationship" with under-pressure manager Arne Slot.
Saturday's drama leaves Liverpool eighth in the Premier League and Slot in danger of losing his job. There's now speculation that Steven Gerrard could replace Slot as Liverpool boss on an interim basis, just months after the latter won the Premier League title.
Gerrard has long been touted for the Anfield job. The Reds icon seemed like a natural successor to Jurgen Klopp after leading Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021.
But a poor spell at Aston Villa ruined Gerrard's chances of taking over at Anfield when Klopp departed in 2024. Gerrard headed to Saudi Arabia instead, experiencing an underwhelming spell with Al-Ettifaq, while Slot became a title winner on Merseyside.
With Gerrard's stock low, many expected him to take a job in the EFL or abroad to reignite his managerial career. But if Slot is fired by Liverpool and rumors are to be believed, the unattached former captain might just be in the right place at the right time.
Jurgen Klopp's thoughts on Steven Gerrard
One man who would be happy to see Gerrard get his chance at Anfield is Klopp. Back in 2021, Klopp was asked whether he could see Gerrard managing Liverpool one day.
The German replied: "Oh yes, I do, absolutely. The only thing is, when is the right moment for that?
"I think that Stevie is doing really well, and he's very young from a manager's point of view, so it's just when is the right moment for him to take the job. Yes, I believe it will definitely happen and good for everyone."
Klopp was then asked what Gerrard must do to prove he can manage a club like Liverpool. He replied: "I'm not the right person to answer that because it's not on me to make those types of decisions.
"I know people say you have to win things (to become Liverpool manager), but I'm not sure about that.
"You can win things in the past, but never win something again. For each manager in the world, it's really important that the club is stable, and then if you have a good chance to improve things, then that's what you have to do.
"Everything that Stevie did so far looks like it's going in the right direction. I can't see a scenario where I will be involved in that decision, but we will see. Who knows?"
Slot must resolve his conflict with Salah, or sell the player in January, if he's to remain in a job. The Dutchman will also need to start picking up some wins, starting against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, before Brighton visits Anfield on Saturday.
If Slot wasn't under pressure before, he definitely is now.
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