John Aldridge Interview: Lewandowski to Liverpool, Szoboszlai’s Exit, & a Roy Keane Return

Speaking exclusively with BettingLounge, Liverpool icon John Aldridge has given his thoughts on the Premier League, Champions League, summer transfer window and more. Featured image courtesy of Sky Sports.

Aldridge, who won four trophies during his time at Anfield including the First Division title, has spoken on potential transfers for Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski and Yan Diomande.

The Ireland hero has also discussed Dominik Szoboszlai’s links to Real Madrid and a potential return to the managerial dugout for his former team-mate Roy Keane.

Q: What do we need to see from Alexander Isak in the remainder of the season?

JA: “Alexander Isak is the future of Liverpool, now he needs to show that. I know we've got to change the system slightly, or we've got to work it out for him and Florian Wirtz, but he's a proper striker, he's a proper finisher.

“Everyone's seen that when he was at Newcastle. But you need service, like all good strikers do. Liverpool have got to give him more, he doesn’t have many opportunities.

“But the one he scored against Palace was a brilliant goal. It was going wide away. His first touch and the way he finished into the ground was brilliant and hopefully a sign of things to come.

“Everyone could see he lacked sharpness, but that's natural. Let’s see how he can go from here.”

Q: Do Liverpool need to spend big again this summer?

JA: “The net spend is not what people think, it was £200million and not £400million. It's quite laughable when you see it at £400m. So, that was the case from last year.

“Do we need to do the same again? Yes, absolutely. When Mo Salah leaves the club, Andy Robertson leaves the club, we've got problems in other areas. Absolutely.

“I know it's really tough to replace players like them, especially Salah, goals-wise and creativity-wise. So you've got to go out and do your due diligence and make sure you get the right fit. And it doesn't matter what it costs, Liverpool can afford it.

“They're one of the richest clubs in the world, the biggest clubs in the world. And they showed last year with Isak, and I'm there to this day, that the owners will go and get it if it's the right business. So whoever fits the bill, whatever it is, we've got to go and get them.

“Also, for me, a holding midfield player. It depends what happens with Ibrahima Konate, who's had a really poor season. If he stays and they believe in him, you've got him and Virgil van Dijk and two young upcoming centre-halves, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet.

Whether they think that'll be enough, we will have to see. So we need someone who can help them. Ryan Gravenberch is good, decent, but it's not his job, it's not his natural game.

“We've tried players in that position and we've been caught out too many times. So for me, you need a world-class holding midfielder.

“We need at least three top-class players. And I think to make the squad better than it was last year, I'd go four.”

Q: Does Ibrahima Konate need to make his mind up at Liverpool?

JA: “With Konate and the season that he's had, I can't see many top teams coming after him. “He's been woeful at times and has shown no consistency whatsoever. I have to say that when he first came in the first couple of years, you could see there was a player there, and he's still young. He might just be having an off-season and he can come again.

“If that's the case, I'd snap Liverpool's hand off because you won't get a bigger or better club. The only reason people might go for him is that he's free. They might think, ‘Well, we'll get him, sell him next year, and make a couple of quid.’

“Liverpool might mix that with the money they'll dig in for him. So they could do it from a business-wise perspective. But I don't know, it's a tricky one. Where we are at the moment, centre-back wise, because Virgil's getting no younger, it is something that needs attending to.

“Whoever looks after Konate, again, has done a great job, but it should have been done a while ago. Maybe it was about a lot more money, but look, just see what happens.”

Q: Would Nico Schlotterbeck be the best replacement for Virgil van Dijk?

JA: “There has been talk about Micky van de Ven if Spurs go down. I think there's a lot of good in this game. There's some things missing. People talk about him being a potential replacement for Virgil van Dijk, being Dutch too.

“Liverpool just have to find the right man, Van de Ven would be risky.”

Q: Would Nathan Collins be the best replacement for Virgil van Dijk?

JA: “Nathan Collins at Liverpool? He's a really good player. I think Liverpool sometimes need good, basic centre-backs who will attack the ball, head the ball as long as it can go, who are good tacklers.

“They don't need to be able to dribble like Alan Hansen or do all the fancy things, but just deal with balls into the box, set pieces, corners. You know, just read the game and be quick, because Virgil might have one more season in him, maybe.

“Whoever goes alongside him, for me, has to be really quick to maybe counteract where his legs are going a little bit.”

Q: Can you see Dominik Szoboszlai as a future Liverpool captain?

JA: "I can see Dominik Szoboszlai as a future Liverpool captain. He's had a very good season, amongst players who have struggled a lot.

“I think he has got leadership qualities in many ways. He's young, relatively young, and he's Hungary’s captain, so that makes sense.

“He's got a little bit of experience, but there has been this Real Madrid talk. But look, if a player wants to go to Madrid, then they should just leave us.

“Liverpool has always been like that. We all know Liverpool are massive, the dreams and aspirations for the club. It's like when Kevin Keegan went, I was absolutely devastated when he left for Hamburg but then Kenny Dalglish came in.

“Then Kenny went out, and then Rushie was there, and then Rushie went out, and I came in, and then I left. Every door closes and a new door opens. But he is one of the players that you'd like to stay, of course. Absolutely. He's our best player. His heart has to be in the club, and the way he plays, you have to say it is."

Q: Is Mohamed Salah on the level of Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish?

JA: “Everyone has their own interpretation of who has been the best, and it depends on your age. I've seen Roger Hunt, I've seen Kevin Keegan, I've seen some unbelievable players... Steven Gerrard, wow. All these players, John Barnes.

“I was lucky enough to see all these unbelievable, fantastic players. Rushy, and Suarez for that season. Yeah, look, Salah up there, he is. But everyone has their own opinion.

“Young kids will say he's the best they've seen because he's been brilliant, absolutely fantastic, over the years he's been at the club. For the older ones, perhaps not.

“Look, everyone appreciates what he's done for the club. He was amazing that season, and he scored 40, and in many other seasons as well. He's been absolutely brilliant, and he's right up there with the best.”

Q: Do Liverpool need to go and get a new striker this summer?

JA: I think it's all about the planning. Isak and Wirtz have got to be in the team and in a formation that they both thrive and prosper in. And that's up to the manager who fits the bill.

“Then you've got people on the bench who can get goals. Now Salah goes, and I can see Ekitike is injured. Who's going to get your goals?

“Wirtz is only a one-in-four man. Isak could be a one-in-two man. Gakpo is a one-in-four man. They're not the stats that will get you the Premier League.

“Ekitike could be one in two, or one in two-and-a-half, whatever it is. So who's going to get the goals? You need goals from midfield and defence, from set plays and things. So it's a really important one.

“Whoever they get as a right winger has to be a magnificent supplier like John Barnes was, and score goals like John Barnes did. You've got to be able to get 20 goals and create as well.

“There aren't many players out there that you can go and get. Michael Olise is a fantastic player, absolutely brilliant, but they're not going to let him go easily. So, that's a big one. If Antoine Semenyo was available, I thought we'd be in for him.

“He might have fitted the bill. So it's huge. Whoever they get has got to be a goalscorer as well.”

Q: Would Julian Alvarez be a great signing for Liverpool?

JA: “I do like Julian Alvarez. If they go out and buy another Isak or Ekitike, that could be problematic if Ekitike comes back. Alvarez is more versatile.

“They could scour for someone who's getting on a bit, who can do a job for a year. I'm just thinking, like, they're looking at when players are coming.

“Someone who could come in the later parts of his career as a buffer, while Ekitike gets back to normal. That sort of makes sense. Maybe the club should look at someone like Robert Lewandowski, although I know he isn’t getting any younger.

“I just think that's the type of player, someone who thinks, 'I'll have one more chance’. We've had a few of them in the past. That, for me, would make sense, while Ekitike gets back to normal.

“Because you've got Ekitike, Isak and Wirtz. Hopefully Szoboszlai will get you goals. The right winger, Cody Gakpo or Rio Ngumoah, will get some goals.

“Goals get you trophies, a good defensive system, clean sheets and goals get you where you need to get.”

Q: Would Yan Diomande have to win over the Liverpool fans quickly?

JA: “A lot of Liverpool fans won’t have seen Yan Diomande so he will need to win them over quickly if he gets a big money move to Anfield.

“All new players need to get involved quickly and show the right spirit. We need players with pace, that is something we’ve lacked this season. When you look at Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz, they were blistering.

“We also had Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, we need some of that pace back.”

Q: Should Liverpool sell Curtis Jones this summer?

JA: “Look, Liverpool fans and fans in general like their own. We've always had the Liverpool players. I was lucky enough to be a Scouser, an Irish Scouser, and played for my boyhood team, and they love that. And every team does that, we're no different.

“Curtis Jones, he's from Toxteth, Dingle, where my dad was brought up. I don't want to see him leave. Look, if he wants to play game in, game out at the moment then it’s tricky as he's a squad player, but he's relatively young.

“He's still going to get better and better. For me, Curtis's natural position, I watched him play when I used to commentate on LFC TV when he was a late teenager, was an attacking midfield player.

“Being able to get in the box and shoot, he was absolutely brilliant. And then all of a sudden they took that away from him and made him into like a holding midfield player, link-up player, right back.

“He does a decent job. But for me, to see the best of him, would be letting him loose as an attacking midfield player. And maybe who knows if he'll get that defensive midfield player, he might be able to do what he's good at.

“He's a super player. He's so gifted, so talented. So I wouldn't like to see him go.”

Q: Would Harry Wilson be a dream signing for Wrexham?

JA: “Harry Wilson to Wrexham? Harry's done brilliantly at Fulham. And I'll tell you what, he won't be short of offers. If Wrexham do come up then that could be a really good signing for them.

“He would be a proper fit, close to him, with Premier League experience. That could be just what they need if they do get promoted.”

Q: Would it hurt Liverpool fans to see Xabi Alonso at Chelsea?

JA: "Liverpool fans wouldn’t care if Xabi Alonso went to Chelsea, you just have to look after your own and what happens at your club, just let them get on with it.

“What will be, is what will be. Xabi’s a smashing bloke. You know, he's done really well for himself. You know, take the Real Madrid job on, your head's in a noose, if you lose two games on the bounce, you're fired.

“But yeah, he's a really good coach, he's proved that now. But what will happen, will happen.

“At Chelsea, that's a jigsaw puzzle that's got like an amazing squad of players. Whoever's doing the jigsaw can't put it together."

Q: Could Javier Mascherano be a future Liverpool manager?

JA: “Javier Mascherano was a player who was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. He went to Barcelona and got all that experience too. A future Liverpool manager? You just don't know what's around the corner for you.

“Anything could happen, you can’t rule it out.”

Q: How big is the trip to Man Utd for Arne Slot?

JA: “We've won the last three home league games now, which is much better and we really needed to. The Champions League is so vital. But, yeah, Liverpool and Man United going for third place, you know, over the years, doesn't really fit, does it?

“It will always be the biggest game worldwide. It's the most watched game worldwide, such are the fan bases all over the country and the world. And it doesn't matter whether it's a game of tiddlywinks or a game of golf, you want to beat them. You want to beat them big time because it's Man United against Liverpool. That's just the rivalry, it's set in stone.

“To lose and lose the double to them when they were in one of their worst United times for a long time would be hurtful from a Liverpool point of view.

“We are susceptible to the break. They play now with Michael Carrick who has done a decent, good job getting them together, they play on the break.

“I've watched them a few times, even against teams that are more possessive, they just hit on the break with the pace they've got up top. They've got good pace, good players.

“And that's what we're susceptible to, so I'm a little bit worried where that is concerned. We certainly have to defend well. I think the team that defends the best on Sunday will win the game.

“I think it's going to be a close one, but hopefully, Liverpool will come out swinging. We were caught out at home against them, and we were the better team.

“That doesn't always get you the result. But, look, keep Bruno Fernandes quiet, and then you've got a chance because he's such a good player. It's just a pity he can't keep his mouth shut, he drives you mad, doesn't he?

“I’ll say 2-1 to Liverpool.”

Q: Could Burnley be the perfect route back to management for Steven Gerrard?

JA: “Steven Gerrard to Burnley? I should ring him and ask him. He's had time off. His heart is of course always with Liverpool but it could make sense.

“At Aston Villa, he'd done a really good job there. And it just didn't work out in the end. But what was put together, Unai Emery is a really good manager, took on and got them where they are.

“Steve was part of that, let's not forget that. Rangers, he did a really good job up there and he knows his stuff. As a pundit, I really enjoy listening to him. Because he's a friend of mine as well, he makes a lot of sense.

“Burnley could entice him maybe because it's just not far away from his home. Burnley is a really good club, they'll be able to bounce back up definitely, with the infrastructure they've got in place, and they've got the parachute payment. So, I don't know, it just might stop his paddle though.”

Q: What has gone wrong for Yoanee Wissa at Newcastle?

JA: Sometimes a team fits the bill for a player. Look, Yoane Wissa has gone from Brentford, who have done great to where they are, and Keith Andrews is doing a great job. He's gone there to Newcastle, which is a big club. More pressure. 

“Better players, supposedly better players around you. The pressure's on you a little bit and you've got to take that, you've got to be able to, you know, take the pressure.

“It might have been a bit too much for him. Whereas, with all due respect to Brentford, a smaller club, you got in there and, you know, he fits the bill there. 

“Look, yeah, he can come again. Maybe it's just the one season where he needs settling in. I don't know. He's not great, don't get me wrong, he's all right. But he's always going to be a squad player.”

Q: Would Yoane Wissa be the perfect signing for Everton?

JA: “Everton have struggled for a long time without a striker. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was probably the best of that, but he was injured a lot. If they had a really good striker, getting them 30 goals a season, they'd get into Europe, because defensively, Everton have a really good team.

“David Moyes knows how to defend. He knows how to be systematic. I managed against David in his early days at Preston. He's really good in the way he sets up his team. They are really hard to play against and set in stone, and he's done a really good job. But if they had a striker who kept himself fit and got even 20 goals, they'd be a different outfit.”

Q: Would Troy Parrott be the perfect signing for Everton?

JA: “Troy Parrott to Everton is a really good option. He did well for Ireland in the qualifiers. When he was young, with a lot of pressure on him to be a top player. It didn't work out for him at Tottenham, but he's come again, and he's a good finisher.

“Troy to Everton could be a strong suggestion. If I were working for David Moyes, or if I were David Moyes, I'd certainly make sure I had a good look and see, he’d fit the bill, because that could be just what they need in terms of goals.”

Q: How impressed have you been with Harry Kane this season?

JA: “Harry Kane is brilliant. I really watched him against PSG, what a game that was. He's become a fantastic player now. OK, maybe you could say he's dropped in pace, but when I played I was nearly 40. He will be playing at 40.

“Pace is in your head sometimes, especially for a striker. The way he links up, the way he plays, he's strong, he knows how to win a foul. His penalties are tremendous. He scores goals left, right and centre.

“He's brilliant. He's absolutely brilliant. Does he get a shout for the Ballon d'Or? Yeah, why not? There are a couple of players from PSG, aren't there? I think that will depend on probably who gets to the final. If they go on and maybe get the win in the final and have a great game and maybe score a goal, Dembele or Kvaratskhelia.

“But I think if they get through, which I hope they do, I think Harry will have more than a good chance of getting it. And it'll be fitting for the service, good football, the leadership and the player he's been.

“Harry Kane at Liverpool? He'd be a great fit. He'd be brilliant for us. It’s of course unlikely but he'd be amazing for us.”

Q: Do any current strikers remind you of your game?

JA: “Haaland plays the way I used to play. I didn't want the ball outside the box. I just linked up, held the line, got hold of the ball, and gave it. If it was clear, for instance, I'd give it to Peter Beardsley, Ray Houghton, or John Barnes and spin and get in the box. 

“That's all Haaland does. He doesn't want it outside the box. All your job is to do there is to link up, one touch, two touches, keep hold of the ball if you need to take the pressure off, but then you get in the box. You give it to them, then you move them.

“Move the defenders around. Defenders keep moving and running in behind, and that's what he does, and that's why he gets the goals and he's a great finisher. Harry Kane does to a certain degree, but he gets involved now a little bit more, but yeah, Haaland plays exactly the way I used to play.”

Q: Are Liverpool right to let Andy Robertson go?

JA: "Robbo will be so missed in Liverpool. Not just out on the pitch, but in the changing room. That goes a long way. You need leaders in the changing room, and people you look forward to seeing in and out of the changing room, and on training on the pitch.

“Andy fits all those requirements. It could be one way or the other, but it could be a role to be coaching afterwards. He knows football. I think he'd be a really good coach, Andy, you know, but he's still got a couple of years left in him.

“He's no slouch, mind you. So, Tottenham would be a great move for him. We'll see where they finish. But for Andy, I think he's still got to go abroad.

“If I were to give him some advice, go and play for Real Sociedad in San Sebastian. I tell you what, he'd have the time of his life, and it's one of the best cities, culturally, you could go to. But yeah, I just hope and wish him all the best."

Q: Would it be strange if Alisson left Liverpool this summer?

JA: “One thing that Liverpool cannot allow to happen is Alisson leaving this summer. Liverpool cannot allow that.

“It’s come out about his future and potential leaving but it would be such a bad move for the club, as bad as letting Luis Díaz go last year.

“I know you've got to bring money in to get players you want, but not a chance. He's still got years. Goalies are alright until the late 30s. I know he's struggling a bit now with his kicking and his leg muscles, but you know, as long as he's got two hands, he'd be alright.”

Q: Could Caoimhin Kelleher have a future as Liverpool number one?

JA: “Should Liverpool bring Caoimhin Kelleher back? Absolutely. I thought it was strange when he went to Brentford for £18 million.

“I was just flabbergasted because he was worth double, at least double that. I'm just hoping that there was a little bit of a deal there between the two clubs later on with an exchange. I know I might be talking rubbish, but I just thought for £18 million it didn't make sense to me.

“So hopefully there's a buy-back clause, which would be very canny. I know Alisson's not going to be there all the time, and I'd like to think they've got something in place there. If they haven't, I think we've missed out on something.”

Q: Who would be your dream signings for Liverpool this summer?

JA: “My dream signings at Liverpool? Michael Olise and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

“But again, all these players, it's hard to prize them away, especially when they might be happy where they are. Olise is at Bayern Munich, a better team than us at the moment, but the Premier League is the best league, we all know that's the one thing.

“If you're going to the Premier League, Liverpool are the first team, unless it’s money bags at Manchester City at the moment.

“You wouldn't say no to an Olise, absolutely. He's not as good, he wouldn't get as many goals as Salah in his prime, yes, I'd say that. But he's a tremendous player.”

Q: Is Florian Wirtz the real deal at Liverpool?

JA: “The Premier League is faster than the Bundesliga. He was a bit lightweight and he still is a little bit. He's still got to strengthen himself up a little bit more. I know he went on the weights and put some weight on, but I think a good pre-season, this next one coming up, and in the close season, strengthen himself a little bit more.

“He'll have 12 months under his belt. As a player, there's no doubt. His quality is absolutely brilliant. He's just got to learn to maybe defend a little bit better when we lose the ball.

“That's just where the strength comes from. The only problem you say is he's got to get more goals per game. At the moment, he's a one in four man, with five goals this year.

“He's got to treble that. He really has. I think he'll be better next year. He'll be better next year, absolutely, as long as he stays fit. He's got to be far better next year because it doesn't match the talent that he has.

“Anyone who plays in the World Cup brings that experience back with them. Absolutely. I was lucky enough to be in two and the Euros in '88, and you come back and the experience makes you a better player. Of course. Absolutely.”

Q: Will Alexander Isak benefit from the World Cup?

JA: “The World Cup will benefit Alexander Isak massively because you need games. Hopefully, he'll play the last four games and then go there, play all Sweden's games, and he'll progress.

“He'll get a couple more. He doesn't need a pre-season break, just keep on working over this period of time so he'll have things to do.

“When you get back into pre-season, that's when you start banging the goals in at pre-season training and pre-season games, and ready for, trying and going for the golden boot against Erling Haaland. That has to be his target next season.”

Q: What has gone wrong for Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal?

JA: “Is Viktor Gyokeres clinical in front of goal? No. I think he's good. He's good, but he's not great. He's good, but not great.

“If Arsenal had a great centre forward like Erling Haaland, it'd be different, wouldn't it? I'm not knocking him and Kai Havertz down. They're good, but not great.”

Q: Can Arsenal still claim the Premier League title?

JA: “If Arsenal have one more off day then it’s over and the league is gone. If one of them plays a game and has an off day, they draw, even a draw, that’s it.

“So, the percentages now are clear, but it's still not a great league this year. Look at Liverpool and City when they went toe to toe. We had 97 points and lost the league.”

Q: Who would be your perfect midfield signing for Liverpool?

JA: “My dream midfield signing for Liverpool? I like Adam Wharton. I like him. The only thing when you're an English player is premium prices, isn't it? Which is a shame, really.

“There shouldn't be any difference, but there is. But certainly Adam Wharton would be a great fit at Liverpool.”

Q: Will missing out on Marc Guehi hurt Liverpool for years to come?

JA: “When Marc Guehi was about to sign for Liverpool I was delighted. He's a really good player, a really good defender. He scores goals as well.

“That one really stung from Liverpool fans' point of view, he could’ve been at the club for a very long time. But we have to move on now.”

Q: Can Oxford United bounce back next season?

JA: "It's not been a great season for my old club, Liverpool. Oxford United have gone down. Tranmere, they might go down. They should have gone down, to be honest.

“Real Sociedad have just been mediocre, but they won the cup, which was nice. I always follow my old clubs, and I always left on good terms with all the fans.

“So, yeah, it's been a poor season. I just hope that Newport and Tranmere stay up this weekend.

“On Oxford United, they can come back, the fans will be back next season. Absolutely.”

Q: Should Finn Azaz be a Premier League player next season?

JA: “I really like Finn Azaz and I think he should be in the Premier League next season, he’s still rough around the edges but it would be great for him.

“If it’s not with Southampton, Brighton would make a lot of sense if they’re interested. He is a decent player and has shown good signs for Ireland. He’s got a lot of potential.”

Q: Do Ireland need to use their World Cup heartbreak in Euro 2028 qualifying?

JA: “That's all you have to do with the experience and the belief it brought us. We were down and out this time last year. No one gave us a chance. We won some good games, got some good points, you know, penalty shootouts out-done us.

“So you've got to turn them into positives. That's what Jack Charlton did. You know, we lost our first game at home against Wales. We drew the next one against Uruguay at home. But we worked on the positives and I can see a little bit of light.

“We talked about Troy Parrott and obviously Evan Ferguson should be getting involved soon and more, a bit more firepower. I can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”

Q: Do you see plenty of future potential Ireland managers out there?

JA: “The future looks bright for Ireland. I think we've got some really good ex-players in management now. Robbie Keane is doing really well in Hungary. Keith Andrews is doing well.

“Duffer doing well. So, there's some good alternatives. Even Mick, Mick McCarthy, is on the back burner still. We get that. We've still got some good alternatives.

“But I don't see the point at this moment in time in changing manager, the team showed some great signs so lets see where he can take us.”

Q: Would Robbie Keane be a great choice for next Ireland manager?

JA: “Robbie Keane would be a great choice for Celtic and he’d love it. He's a Liverpool fan by heart but that would be special.

“Wherever he's gone, he's always made his mark as a player and always made his mark as a manager. Some people didn't see management in him. He's proved them wrong and he's a smashing bloke.

“He's a really down-to-earth fella. I'd love to see him go to Celtic. It could be a perfect fit.”

Q: Could we ever see Roy Keane back in management?

JA: “I think Roy Keane will stick with his TV punditry at the moment, everyone loves him in that role so it would be tough to leave behind.

“I know him as a person and he's one of the best in the role. Everyone reacts to his quips and his demeanour.

“Back in management? You never know. You just never know with things happening in football and I think it would be very exciting to see him back.”