The appointment of Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool was always going to be a monumental challenge, but this season has been marred by a series of concerning performances and results that have quickly eroded optimism on Merseyside. Key players are struggling for form, defensive frailties have resurfaced, and a quarter-final FA Cup exit to rivals Manchester City has only intensified the scrutiny surrounding the Dutchman.

His success at Bayer Leverkusen, which included an unbeaten season, has not been forgotten. There, he got the best out of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong and also has the coaching talent to turn Liverpool’s fortunes around.

Just this week, Gerrard admitted he would be willing to return to Liverpool. He told The Overlap: “Any area I could help the club in, I’d always try to do it if I could. I suppose what you want to know is do I want to manage Liverpool at some point in my life? Of course, that’d be a dream.”

He did also state that he is not ready for the manager’s job, but the club legend would certainly galvanise the dressing room.

Gerrard has struggled since leaving Rangers and taken a step back from coaching, but he has shown plenty of promise in the dugout.

One of Europe’s most promising managers at the moment, Fabregas is thriving at Serie A side Como.

A run of five consecutive wins have the minnows in contention for a Champions League place as they sit three points clear of Juventus and Roma in third place.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder plays a brand of football that would delight the Anfield crowd and a step up the ladder appears imminent, perhaps Liverpool will be the ones to capitalise.

He has instead been in charge of Red Bull’s group of clubs but is continuously linked with a return to management.

And the iconic German boss even hinted that could happen, admitting last month: “As for the future, I’m not quite finished as a coach yet. So who knows what might come up in the next few years. But there are absolutely no plans in that regard.”