Steven Gerrard addressed speculation around the Liverpool job on Tuesday. His comments suggest he’s destined for the role.
And so it begins.
Steven Gerrard is officially a successful manager and thus when’s he going to get the Liverpool job? The speculation was always inevitable from the moment he looks halfway good at it all.
Only, he’s much better than that. What Gerrard is doing with Rangers is remarkable, taking a club that was lightyears behind Celtic and turning them into champions.
He’s done that on a far smaller budget than Celtic and while simultaneously making Rangers competitive in Europe. They topped their Europa League group and are through to the Last 16 after knocking out Royal Antwerp.
It’s all incredible, really. How far can he take them? Or how long will he stay?
Because Gerrard will face relentless links to the Liverpool job. Jurgen Klopp won’t be around forever – his contract expires in 2024, for one – and the former captain feels like the natural replacement.
And Gerrard gave his thoughts on it all when posed the question after clinching the Scottish Premiership.
“Look, the Liverpool fans don’t want me to be the manager of Liverpool Football Club,” he said, per the Mirror. “They want Jurgen Klopp to continue to be the Liverpool manager – and I’m totally with all of them.
“We shouldn’t talk about this, we have one of the best managers leading our club at the minute, I love him.
“I hope he stays for a few more years. But I’ve got a job here. I don’t think it’s helpful to talk about this and I hope Jurgen stays at Liverpool for many years.”
What RTK has to say
It’s quite amazing how Gerrard manages to implicitly back Klopp, while at the same time making it clear how much he still loves Liverpool.
He’s off there managing someone else – and doing well – while referring to Liverpool as ‘our club’. Let’s be honest, it must wind the Rangers fans up a little to see him do that.
But then, after delivering their no.55, they likely don’t care very much.
For us, Gerrard’s answer is as perfect as it gets. It’s also a reminder of what he can one day bring to the club.
He has to continue being successful, of course, but that doesn’t appear to be a problem. But everyone at Liverpool can see how much Klopp understands and connects with the club and the city.
That relationship has been an enormous part of the success over the last few years. When Klopp finally steps down, replacing it will be a nightmare.
But in Gerrard, Liverpool will find similar. In fact, pointing that out feels a little ridiculous – of course he gets the club and city. He’s embodied Liverpool Football Club his entire professional career.
His comments show that’s still the case. Gerrard understands the fans’ mentality because he shares it. And along with his success, he’s well on course to be in the Anfield dugout in 2024.
But no sooner than that.
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