Gerrard Opens Door to Liverpool Interim Role as Slot Faces Mounting Pressure

Steven Gerrard has thrown his hat into the ring regarding a potential return to Liverpool, declaring that stepping in on a temporary basis would be something he'd seriously consider—though a permanent role isn't quite on the cards just yet.

The legendary midfielder, who departed his last managerial gig with Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ettifaq over a year ago, was candid about his appetite for a Liverpool return during an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast. Having managed just five wins from his final 17 league matches in Saudi Arabia—leaving his side five points clear of the drop zone—Gerrard remains keen on another shot in the dugout.

"Any help or area I could help the club in, I'd always try and do it if I could," Gerrard explained. "Do you want to manage Liverpool at some point in your 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?"

When pressed on whether he'd accept an assistant's role at Anfield, Gerrard remained cagey. "Depends who it is and how the conversation goes, and does he need me? What does he think I can offer?" he said.

His comments arrive amid mounting pressure on Arne Slot, whose Liverpool side sit a dismal 21 points adrift of leaders Arsenal—a stark contrast to last season's ten-point title triumph. Following last weekend's 2-1 reverse at Brighton, speculation has intensified over the Dutchman's future, with Xabi Alonso widely tipped as his potential successor after the former midfielder's sacking by Real Madrid in January.

Yet despite the noise, Liverpool's board appears unmoved. The Athletic's David Ornstein insists the club remains fully committed to Slot, stating there is "no thought to changing coach" amongst the decision-makers at Anfield.

"Liverpool are sticking with Arne Slot, there's no thought to changing coach," Ornstein said on The Athletic FC podcast. "They are planning with him and their priority, their focus, is to give him the profile of squad to succeed."

Ornstein acknowledged the season has fallen short of expectations, but highlighted the broader context. "Liverpool's season has been poor by their standards, their performances, their results, and he is at the centre of that. But if you look at the range of factors on and off the pitch it's remarkable, and I'm not surprised that Liverpool want to give him longer."

The Reds remain alive in both the Champions League and FA Cup, though supporters harbour little optimism about capturing silverware without a dramatic upturn in form. Ornstein pointed to Slot's pedigree—namely last season's Premier League title—as reason for the board's backing, noting the manager will play a central role in the club's recruitment strategy moving forward.