With Jurgen Klopp expected to walk away from Liverpool in 2024, former Reds favourite Phil Thompson has identified Steven Gerrard as the "natural fit" to take over when the German moves on.
Klopp has never been one to shy away from sharing his future plans, and while he has left the door open for a longer stay, he has also been setting the club up to thrive when he's gone. Part of that success will require the right choice of successor, though, and Thompson has pointed to Gerrard - as well as Klopp's right-hand man Pep Lijnders - as potential future bosses at Anfield.
"Nothing has changed and if I decide to [leave] in 2024 it'll be nothing to do with the quality of the squad," Klopp said at the start of the month. "All we do is for the long term. This club must be even better when I am not here anymore. That's the plan."
“I think he would be [a big draw] and you can see him as a natural fit. Obviously you have got to earn the right," Thompson told The ECHO when asked about Gerrard's suitability.
“Obviously Jurgen was at Mainz, was at Dortmund, and then came through. Steven has gone in at Rangers, which is a massive club. Then he has gone to Villa, and you can see the changes that he has done, bringing in the players that he has done.
“[The signing of] Philippe Coutinho is because it is Steven Gerrard. Players will always want to come and play for him, which will be a big draw at Liverpool.”
Do you want Steven Gerrard as Liverpool's next manager? Let us know in the comments section
Gerrard has made a big splash at Aston Villa, having already excelled in charge of Rangers. Since taking over in November, relegation worries have subsided and the club have every chance of a top-half finish.
The former Liverpool captain spent time coaching Liverpool's under-18s before leaving to take the Rangers job, and revealed Klopp was in touch before their first meeting on opposite sides in the Premier League. "He sent me a message saying he's looking forward to a big hug on the side-line in December so that's something to look forward to," Gerrard revealed.
Nevertheless, Thompson believed Lijnders - who has taken charge of Liverpool first-team games on occasions when Klopp has been absent - shouldn't be ruled out. "He shouldn’t be discounted when [Klopp's departure] happens," the 68-year-old said.
“Yes, if Steven comes I would be delighted, but if Pep Lijnders was to take it then he would get Jurgen’s blessing. I would do that because you see he has got that fiery character the way Jurgen can be. He is also a very good coach."
