Klopp touts Gerrard as Liverpool successor
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool "needs legends like Steven Gerrard" and hopes to prepare the ex-England captain for a managerial role.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7BBr3rzZMwFUFMYtiVtDdV.jpg)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would love club great Steven Gerrard to be his successor at Anfield.
Gerrard saw out his playing days with MLS side LA Galaxy after making the last of 710 appearances for Liverpool in May 2015.
He is now back on Merseyside working with the Reds' academy, where he will take full charge of the club's under-18 side next season.
Klopp is contracted to Liverpool until 2022 and hopes to play a nurturing role with Gerrard, recalling the 18-time English champions' once-celebrated tradition of nurturing their own coaches.
"It's perfect that we can involve Steven. What a guy, he's fantastic," Klopp said in an interview with the Times. "He was one of the world's best footballers ever.
"I told him when I leave, or the club sack me, I don't care of course who'll be my successor, but I'd love that he'd be it. I'll do everything I can to make sure he gets all the information he needs.
"Because when you join a club you have a big responsibility for the future, and the future of this club needs legends like Steven Gerrard in decisive positions.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"[Gerrard] gave the club a lot and now we can give him the best education in this specific part he wants to work in, hopefully for the rest of his life."
Liverpool conclude their Premier League campaign at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday, knowing victory will guarantee them a place in the top four.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack