Jurgen Klopp says Steven Gerrard will "definitely" manage Liverpool one day as the Reds legend returns to Anfield on Saturday as Aston Villa's head coach.
Gerrard made 710 appearances for Liverpool and won the Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the UEFA Cup during his 17-year career with the club.
On Saturday, he will face Liverpool as an opposition manager for the first time as he takes his Aston Villa side to Anfield. Klopp, who gave Gerrard his first coaching job in Liverpool's academy - believes the 41-year-old will one day be in his position.
Asked whether Gerrard will manage Liverpool in the future, Klopp said: "Yes, absolutely I think [he will].
"The only problem is, is when is the right moment for that? We saw that with Frank [Lampard] with his time at Chelsea, which was a similar story.
"Stevie's doing really well at the moment because he's very young for a manager so when is the right moment for him to take the job? It's not that he's not able to do it but how long he wants to do it.
"But yes, I think it will definitely happen and it's good for everybody.
"I don't know what you have to do to become a Liverpool manager. People say you have to win things but I'm not sure about that. I think it's more important that you win things when you are here.
"You don't have to win things in the past and this rubbish about being a proven winner. You can win things in the past but never win something again.
"Everything what Stevie has done so far looks good and is going absolutely in the right direction.
"I can't see a scenario where I will be involved in that decision to be honest, but who knows what the future brings? We will see."
Gerrard managed Liverpool's under-18 team for 18 months, learning the ropes under Klopp before moving to Rangers in May 2018, where he won the Scottish Premiership title last season.
Gerrard left Ibrox last month to return to the Premier League as Aston Villa boss and Klopp is delighted he will be coming back to Liverpool as an opposition manager.
"It's a wonderful story," the German said. "I can imagine how he is feeling. Stevie is experienced and knows how to approach games but he probably has no idea how it will feel when he steps into the stadium.
"I had that in a similar way on my first time back to Mainz and then Dortmund, so it's strange. You like all the people you meet when you arrive at the stadium, which is pretty much not often the case when you go somewhere else. But I handled it and Stevie will handle it.
"I've never heard a negative word about Steven Gerrard since I've been here. I've met him, he's a great guy but he will come here and want to win the game.
"Before we shake hands and after we shake hands, the in-between will be full throttle. I remember when Dortmund scored at Mainz I forgot everything about my story at Mainz, I was celebrating like crazy so he's allowed to do that as well, but I just hope he has no reason for it."
"Stevie might say there are no sentiments, and that's right, but from the club's point of view, there are sentiments. We love Stevie.
"We need Anfield and Stevie will get the best reception in the world because he deserves it, but in the 90 minutes we need everybody behind us."
Asked whether he had spoken to Gerrard recently, Klopp joked: "After the last game [Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester], I sent him a message 'Not bad at all! See you!' But we didn't speak."
What Gerrard's said about his return to Anfield...
Gerrard admits he will be happy to give up his hero status at Liverpool on his return as Aston Villa manager but is determined to play down the occasion.
"The noise is for other people to get excited about, for me it's about preparing the team in the best way I can to try and get a positive result for Aston Villa," Gerrard said.
"Everyone in that stadium will know me well enough to know what I'm about and what I'm going to Anfield for.
"I'm going back to a club where I spent many years and it brings a smile to my face for a couple of reasons.
"One, I've got a good relationship with a lot of people at the club. I had a fantastic time there, a really good journey, I'm a local boy. It was the team I supported growing up and I will always support that team.
"But at the same time it brings a smile to my face because I've got the opportunity to go there and compete against a good team and a good manager and try to win the game. That's my only focus.
"If I'm on the bus heading back down the M6 towards Birmingham and I'm not the most popular at Anfield, so be it."
How Klopp set Gerrard on the road to management
Gerrard's return to Anfield promises to be an emotional occasion for the former Liverpool captain, whose move into management was facilitated by Klopp, the man he dreams of one day succeeding.
Ahead of his return to Liverpool with Aston Villa on Saturday, here, we examine his coaching journey so far, including...
- Taking notes on his managers while contemplating a future in coaching during his playing career
- Turning down a chance to manage MK Dons in favour of an academy role at Liverpool after leaving LA Galaxy
- Impressing Klopp with his work ethic and attention to detail while in charge of Liverpool's U18s
- Forging his identity as a manager while steering Rangers to a record-breaking 55th Scottish league title
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