Liverpool's leadership crisis has deepened with the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, prompting former striker Emile Heskey to suggest a familiar face could help bridge the gap.

The club finds itself in uncharted territory after losing three of its most influential figures in quick succession. Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid twelve months ago was the first domino to fall, followed now by vice-captain Robertson and club legend Salah walking through the Anfield exit.

It's a brain drain that would challenge any club, but particularly one already reeling from what Heskey described as "a hugely disappointing season." The vacuum left behind isn't just about talent on the pitch – it's about the kind of relentless standards and accountability that championship sides demand.

New head coach Andoni Iraola, who replaced the sacked Arne Slot, faces the immediate challenge of identifying who can step up within the existing squad. Heskey sees promise in certain quarters, pointing to Dominik Szoboszlai as someone who "showed a little bit of that as a leader last season." Virgil van Dijk remains, of course, but even the Dutch captain needs support in driving standards throughout the group.

"You just hope that another player is ready to step into Robertson's place," Heskey explained, speaking to Grosvenor Sport. "Mo has gone, Robbo has gone, Milner went. All these players were huge characters and big leaders in the group who made sure they put pressure on the players to perform."

That reference to James Milner isn't accidental. The 40-year-old recently hung up his boots after becoming the Premier League's all-time record appearance holder with 658 games, but Heskey believes his influence could still benefit Liverpool in a different capacity.

"I think it would be good to get Milner back, but again, it's up to the management," Heskey said. "You can't just throw ex-players in there simply because of who they are."

It's a measured take, but one with genuine merit. Milner's eight seasons at Anfield weren't just about his 332 appearances or the silverware he collected – including a Premier League title and the 2019 Champions League under Jurgen Klopp. His reputation was built on an obsessive dedication to standards that teammates couldn't ignore.

The former England international understood something crucial about leadership that goes beyond captaincy or experience. "They didn't just do it on the pitch; they did it in training first, because you have to set the standard in training before you do it in a match," Heskey noted.

That daily accountability is what Liverpool risks losing entirely. When players like Salah, Robertson and Milner demand excellence in every training session, it creates a culture where mediocrity simply isn't tolerated. Without those voices, younger players might drift, and standards might slip when nobody's watching.

Heskey's suggestion of bringing back former players isn't about nostalgia or quick fixes. "There are definitely roles for ex-players within the system because they keep the current squad on their toes," he argued. "Even if they are just in a coaching role, their presence alone demands respect and keeps standards high."

It's the kind of thinking that successful clubs embrace. Players who understand the Liverpool way, who've lived through the pressure and expectations, carry authority that can't be taught or bought. They know what championship mentality looks like because they've embodied it.

For Iraola, the challenge extends beyond tactical adjustments or summer signings. He's inherited a squad that's lost its spine, its voice, its driving force. Finding those new leaders – whether from within or through creative appointments like bringing back respected former players – might prove just as important as any transfer business this summer.

The question now is whether Liverpool's new regime has the vision to see leadership solutions beyond the traditional pathways.