Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, said this Friday that it is a matter of time that Steven Gerrard becomes coach of the ‘red’ team, of which the former midfielder is one of his great myths after defending his shirt for 17 years. Gerrard returns to Anfield this Saturday to face Liverpool for the first time as a coach, in this case managing Aston Villa.
Gerrard replaced Dean Smith on the Villa bench in November. When Klopp was asked on Friday if the 41-year-old former Liverpool captain will ever coach the ‘red’ team, the German manager told the media: “I think it will definitely happen and that’s good for everyone.”
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Klopp also stated: “The only thing is when will be the right time for that. We saw it with Frank (Lampard) with his time at Chelsea … Stevie (Gerrard) is doing really well at the moment. He is very young still, from a coach’s point of view. “
Liverpool’s German coach continued to reflect on Gerrard on the eve of the bench duel between the two: “It is not easy for a world-class player to become an outstanding coach, but it is possible, and it seems that Stevie has all the qualities you need to I am very happy for him. “
Liverpool comes to this Saturday’s match in second place in the Premier League, one point behind the leader, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Meanwhile, Gerrard has won three of his four games since coaching Villa, now 10th in the table. “It was a good start (for Gerrard at Villa), but none of his four games were against us,” Klopp said.
Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
“We love Steven, but that means nothing in this match. We are all professionals, as we will go with everything we have. For example, I celebrated against Mainz (one of his former teams and he refers to as Borussia Dortmund coach) Like some crazy devil. Stevie is allowed to do that tomorrow. Hopefully he has no reason to do it, “Klopp said.
“I celebrated against Mainz (the first team he coached in the Bundesliga and he refers to when he beat him as Borussia Dortmund manager) like a crazy devil. Stevie is allowed to do that tomorrow (this Saturday). Hopefully not have no reason to do so, “Klopp said.
Klopp explained that Divock Origi is available to play against Aston Villa, but that Nat Phillips will be out for 5 weeks due to a broken cheekbone.