Jurgen Klopp thinks Steven Gerrard will DEFINITELY become Liverpool manager

Jurgen Klopp thinks Steven Gerrard will ‘DEFINITELY’ become Liverpool manager but must find the ‘right moment’ in his career as the Anfield legend prepares to return with Aston Villa

  • Jurgen Klopp thinks it is Steven Gerrard’s destiny to one day manage Liverpool
  • But he must pick the ‘right moment’ to take over in the Anfield dugout 
  • Gerrard returns to Merseyside to face his beloved boyhood club for the first time 
  • Anticipation has been building ever since he replaced Dean Smith at Aston Villa


Jurgen Klopp believes it is Steven Gerrard’s destiny to become Liverpool manager as the club legend prepares for an emotional homecoming.

Gerrard brings his Aston Villa side to Anfield determined to check the momentum that is building behind Liverpool’s title challenge and Klopp is relishing the opportunity to go head-to-head with a man who has made an assured start to life working in the Premier League.

There is a narrative that Villa is a stepping stone in Gerrard’s managerial career on a path that leads to Liverpool – though it is not one the man himself endorses – and Klopp sees no reason why the 41-year-old won’t have an opportunity in the future.

Liverpool legend Gerrard brings his Aston Villa side to Anfield on Saturday

Jurgen Klopp believes it is Steven Gerrard’s destiny to become Liverpool manager in future 

Klopp, whose contract runs until June 2024, does not believe he will ever be involved in the process of picking his successor but he was firm in his belief that Gerrard has shown already he has the qualities needed to handle one of the biggest jobs in football.

Asked whether he believed Gerrard would manage Liverpool, Klopp said: ‘Oh yeah. I think absolutely. 

‘The only problem is: when is the right moment for that? We saw it with Frank (Lampard) at Chelsea. He is doing really well but is very young from a manager’s point of view.

‘When is the right moment to take the manager’s job? Not because he’s not able to do it but how long do you want to do it? Is the last job you want to do? The second job? Those are questions I can’t answer. But yes, I think it will definitely happen – and good for everybody.

‘It’s not for me to make the decision. I don’t know what you have to do before you become Liverpool manager. I know people say you have to win things but it is more important you win things when you are here, you don’t have to win things in the past with all this “proven winner” rubbish.

Gerrard faces Klopp and his beloved Liverpool for the first time on Saturday afternoon

Gerrard faces Klopp and his beloved Liverpool for the first time on Saturday afternoon

‘You can win things in the past and never win things again. The most important for each manager is that the club is in a stable moment, then you have a good chance to improve things. Everything what he did so far looks good and he’s going in absolutely the right direction – but what does that mean?

‘I can’t see a scenario where I will be involved in that decision but who knows what the future brings. We will see.’

Klopp – who blithely stated on arrival at his press conference on Friday that ‘I have no intentions of answering any questions about Steven Gerrard!’ – has been a constant figure of support in the former England’s captain managerial career but there have been no phone calls this week.

‘It’s really long ago we spoke a couple of times,’ said Klopp, whose side will equal a club record scoring run of 31 consecutive games if they hit the net on Saturday.

‘Since he was at Rangers and especially since he was at Villa we had some messages.

‘Not because I wouldn’t give him advice but there’s no need for it. I watched Villa since he was there: quite an impact, similar style to Rangers with different – really good – players. It looks good and it will be a tough challenge but that’s the Premier League. There’s no difference from other games.’