Steven Gerrard has been reeled in to comment of the fanciful notion that he is Jurgen Klopp’s choice to take over from the German as manager of Liverpool.
With September kicking off with the horrific reality of Neil Lennon’s Celtic out-thinking and outplaying Gerrard’s side in front of 49,000 baying supporters, Ibrox fans have been in badly need of feel good stories..
During the international break a number of stories were released to produce that effect, earlier this week it was reported that Alfredo Morelos might get called up for a Colombian international get together which won’t involve any matches. Earlier this year the striker was left out of Colombia’s provisional squad of 40, which included 11 forwards, for the Copa America.
‘Gerrard for Liverpool’ has been a fairly regular theme over the last year with the appointment of Frank Lampard at Chelsea lending some misplaced credibility to the notion.
Earlier this week Four Four Two magazine published a light hearted interview between comedian John Bishop and Klopp. Discussing the strengths and tactical awareness of up and coming managers wasn’t on the agenda.
Answering a question about whether the presence of club legend Kenny Dalglish as a non-executive director was challenging, Klopp replied: “Kenny and Stevie have both been a really big support from day one.
“Second, my position as a manager has nothing to do with the people around me. If Liverpool were to sack me tomorrow, then maybe Kenny would be the first choice to replace me, but they would probably bring Stevie down from Glasgow.
“If you ask who should follow me, I’d say Stevie. I help him whenever I can. If someone gets your job, it’s not about them, it’s about you not being good enough. I’m old enough to know that I give this job everything. I’m not a genius, I’m not perfect, but I give the club 100 per cent. If that’s enough, great. If it’s not, then it’s just the problem of the situation. I’m not jealous, I’m not sceptical. I’m completely open. If you want my help, you’ll get it.
“My family often thinks that I’m too quick to open up, but I think being any other way is a waste of time. I love life, I love my job, I like most people – that’s how it is.”
Linking Gerrard to Liverpool in the same month as he lost 2-0 at home to Celtic is too good of a feel good story to miss out on, after reporting on the interview the proposition was put to the Ibrox boss at today’s media conference.
Picking up on the Press Association coverage The Sun published:
I was surprised and flattered at the same time but when you read the quote really carefully, like I have, it said ‘if I get sacked tomorrow’ he thinks Steven Gerrard should be the next Liverpool manager. Jurgen Klopp’s not getting sacked tomorrow. I don’t want him to get sacked tomorrow. He’s doing a fantastic job.
The smart money would be on Klopp still being at Anfield beyond Gerrard’s stay at Ibrox.