8 hours ago
31
Liverpool fans had a theory about Steven Gerrard following the announcement of his contract with Aston Villa.
In 2021, Gerrard was hired as Villa's new manager, replacing Dean Smith. Prior to being hired by the team, Gerrard was at the helm at Rangers, helping lead the Glaswegians to their first title in a decade while also laying the foundation for future success.
However, fans noted an interesting quirk in the Liverpool legend's contract when he signed his deal with Aston Villa. The discovery came after Gerrard made it clear in 2019 what he thought of potentially taking over for Jurgen Klopp as the club's manager.
When the deal was signed in 2021, it was reported that the contract would keep Gerrard in Aston Villa for two-and-a-half seasons. Coincidentally or not, the contract lined up with Klopp's contract at Liverpool, with some believing the length was intentional.
After Klopp departed from Liverpool, it was not Gerrard who replaced him but rather Arne Slot. Slot was successful in helping the club transition from the Klopp era to new frontiers.
Liverpool has struggled in recent weeks, though, leading fans to call for Slot's job despite the club starting the season with five straight victories.
Despite the unique wrinkle in his Villa contract, Gerrard has stated in the past that he has not necessarily thought about taking the reins at Anfield. In 2019, the Liverpool legend made his thoughts clear on Jürgen Klopp's praise for him and his belief that he could manage the club at some point, if the German were to be fired.
"I was surprised and flattered at the same time," Gerrard said at the time. "But when you read the quote really carefully, like I have, it said 'If I get sacked tomorrow' he thinks Steven Gerrard should be the next Liverpool manager. Jurgen Klopp's not getting sacked tomorrow. I don't want him to get sacked tomorrow. He's doing a fantastic job."
He added: "I'm a Liverpool fan, and I'm sure every Liverpool fan on the planet endorses what I'm saying here, we want him to stay for many, many years and bring as much success to our club as possible, but it [the comment] was very flattering at the same time."
Gerrard doubled down on his 2019 comments two years later, telling reporters in January 2021 that while he has pondered the possibility of being on the sidelines at Anfield once again, he is being selective with his time.
"The Liverpool fans don’t want me to be the manager of Liverpool Football Club. They want Jurgen Klopp," he asserted at the time. "Is it a dream for me to, one day, be the Liverpool manager? Yes, it is. But not yet."
With Slot's seat very warm considering how the club has fared in recent weeks, it remains to be seen if a move will ultimately be made. However, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness stands firm in his belief that Slot is the right person to lead the club back to its winning ways.
"Anything can happen in our league. I have worked in big leagues abroad, and I tell you, our league is by far the most demanding league anywhere. Big clubs don't get a rest," he said on TalkSPORT.
"So it's still very much on for three or four teams, and I have to include Liverpool, because I know the way the crowd react there. They won't give up on the team."
English (US) ·