Steven Gerrard weighs in on Arne Slot future and opens door to Liverpool return

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been criticized this season, but Steven Gerrard has offered his verdict on the Reds boss, who won the Premier League title only a few months ago

Steven Gerrard appears on the Stick To Football podcast.(Image: Stick To Football // YouTube)

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has backed Arne Slot after a difficult season and suggested that the Dutchman still has credit in the bank after he won the Premier League title last term.

After making big changes to the Liverpool roster last summer, the Reds have struggled for consistency, especially domestically, this season, and face a battle to qualify for the Champions League by finishing inside the top five places.

But Gerrard has hinted that Slot should still be in charge when the new campaign kicks off, even with pressure mounting on Liverpool to improve both performances and results as soon as possible.

Speaking on the latest episode of Stick To Football, sponsored by Sky Bet, Gerrard said that he has enjoyed watching Liverpool in Europe this season, but feels there are lots of issues to resolve in the Premier League.

"He has [got credit in the bank] with me because more than anyone on the planet, I know how difficult it is to win a league," Gerrard said.

"And for him to come in and win a league in his first season, being asked questions in the media a long time, what do you think, does it need to change and blah, blah, blah... He’s got a lot more credit with me.

"You know how difficult it is. Jamie [Carragher] will tell you, the Liverpool demand, they expect to win it every year. So I think he needs the opportunity to sort of play himself out of trouble and fix the issues and try and get himself back in a good place.

Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

"And I think he did during that period a few months ago, where they’d lost nine out of 12, but then they went on a run where he took them from 12th to fourth in the league.

"And I think someone who’s won a league deserves at least a full season to try and get out of the problems and the issues that they’ve got.

"I'm certainly one of those people, but I have to understand what the fans are saying as well, because it has been dire in certain games and performances. Really dire."

Gerrard has been put forward as a potential future Liverpool manager in the future, but he is currently out of work. His last role was in Saudi Arabia.

"I've got a brilliant connection with the club," he said. "I always have, and probably a stronger connection since I left. They’ve always been unbelievable.

"Any help or area I could help the club in, I’d always try and do it if I could. But I suppose what you want to know is, do I want to manage Liverpool at some point in my life?

"Of course, that would be a dream, but I think, would I be ready for it right now to take it over a period of time? Probably not, but is there a possibility in the future to be alongside someone, them elite managers that you’re talking about?

"It depends who it is and how the conversation goes, and does he need me? What does he think I can offer? If they felt I was the right man to do it, I'd be open to it, of course."

Liverpool.com says: Gerrard being involved would be something that lots of Reds fans would be behind. Ideally, though, Slot will be able to turn things around. As Gerrard says, he has credit in the bank, but needs to show signs of progession.