Liverpool warned over potential Steven Gerrard return despite Arne Slot’s struggles | OneFootball

Could Steven Gerrard Replace Arne Slot at Liverpool?

Liverpool’s season has drifted into deeply uncomfortable territory, and on Media Matters for Anfield Index, David Lynch did not hold back when speaking to Dave Davis. Reflecting on the latest defeat, Lynch said plainly, “they’re just not very good, really”, a line that neatly captures the growing frustration around Arne Slot’s side.

The Brighton loss, described as “a terrible performance, a fully deserved defeat”, has become emblematic of a wider issue. Lynch added that Liverpool were “absolutely battered pretty much from start to finish”, stressing that the problems go far beyond isolated results.

There is mitigation, injuries, scheduling, fatigue, yet Lynch repeatedly returned to a central theme, “at some point, you’ve got to say… they haven’t done that enough this season”. The reality is stark. Liverpool are in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification and, in Lynch’s words, would “fully deserve it”.

Arne Slot under scrutiny amid poor form

Discussion around Arne Slot inevitably dominated. Lynch pointed to systemic issues rather than one-off tactical errors, stating, “this is not a solid, dependable football team that is… in any way balanced or good enough”.

Slot’s own comments have added to the debate. Referencing his post-match reasoning, Lynch pushed back on the idea of external factors dictating outcomes, saying, “let’s just keep kind of talking ourselves into defeats constantly then”.

He was particularly critical of recurring explanations, adding that focusing on challenges like low blocks “is just directing his ire in the wrong direction”. The expectation at Liverpool remains unchanged. As Lynch put it, “you are the Liverpool manager… it’s the job”.

Importantly, he did acknowledge mitigating factors, but drew a clear line, “it’s still not good enough, the position we’re in right now”. That sentiment reflects a growing consensus that, regardless of context, Liverpool’s level has fallen well below expectations.

Steven Gerrard interim debate gains traction

One of the most striking elements of the conversation was the openness to change. With Liverpool stuck in a prolonged slump, the idea of an interim appointment, specifically Steven Gerrard, has begun to surface.

Lynch admitted he would “generally be against” interim solutions, but conceded the current situation is different. “Twenty six games is a long time of bad form… there were no signs of that changing,” he said.

Photo: IMAGO

This is where the Gerrard discussion becomes relevant. Lynch explained the logic behind it, “if he just comes in and gets them running around a little bit more… then maybe you just get something out of them”.

Crucially, this is not framed as a long term solution. He was clear any interim should only last until the end of the season, warning against being “tempted into appointing the interim” permanently. Still, the fact this conversation is happening at all highlights how far Liverpool have slipped.

Future uncertainty hanging over Liverpool

The uncertainty does not stop with the dugout. Lynch revealed that clarity on Slot’s future may not come until the season ends, suggesting “we won’t be hearing any updates… till the season has come to a close”.

That leaves Liverpool in limbo. Performances remain poor, results inconsistent, and direction unclear. Lynch summed up the broader issue powerfully, “nine wins from the last twenty six… that is so far from good enough”.

Even the idea of scraping into the top five offers little comfort. For Lynch, it is about more than league position, “they just have to be better than they’ve been”.

As the Anfield Index podcast made clear, Liverpool’s problems are layered, structural, tactical, physical, and mental. Whether Arne Slot can address them, or whether a figure like Steven Gerrard is asked to steady the ship temporarily, remains the defining question of the run in.