Steven Gerrard is "ideally suited" to become Liverpool's next manager once Jurgen Klopp steps aside, according to his former team-mate Jerzy Dudek.
Klopp has hinted he has one eye on retirement in recent weeks, admitting that he will call it a day when his contract at Anfield expires.
The German is contracted until 2022, and Liverpool fans will be reassured by the fact Klopp has seen out his contracts at former clubs Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
But there will come a time in the near future when the top job at Liverpool is up for grabs - and Dudek reckons Gerrard would be the right man to fill Klopp's shoes.
Speaking about Gerrard to Przeglad Sportowy, Dudek said: "He is ideally suited to it because he was a great leader and as a captain, he brilliantly managed our dressing room.
"But honestly, I would have laughed at you if you told me he wanted to be a manager.
"Most of the very best players like to take a break after their playing career has ended and return to their family, who have sacrificed a lot during their career.
"But Steven quickly jumped from coaching the kids at Liverpool to becoming manager of Rangers. And it wasn't an obvious choice either because he took on a really difficult task.
"But his development has been rapid because no one expected that and he has exceeded expectations. Everyone knows that sooner or later the great captain will return."
Klopp sparked speculation he could quit football last week when he joked "maybe I'll retire". He then told Kicker: "It looks like it [I'll retire after Liverpool]. Who can now say if he can give it his all in three years time?
"If I decide for myself that I can't go on anymore, I'll take a break and in that year I'd have to make a definite decision [if he wants to continue at all].
"I have absolute energy, but I have one problem: I can't do 'a little bit.' I can only do 'all or nothing.'
"But the chances are very high that my energy levels will go up again [after a year's break], and that I can then do the job the way I want to."
