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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ian Brindle

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool successor named as 'natural' fit is unmasked

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes Steven Gerrard to be a 'natural fit' to succeed Jurgen Klopp as manager of the Reds.

Gerrard was back in Liverpool last weekend for a legends fixture and the former Rangers boss has been speculated as being in the frame to replace the German when his current deal expires in 2024.

Presently in charge at Aston Villa, Gerrard has publicly admitted that he’d like to be the Reds boss at some stage in the future though he has stopped short of directly nominating himself as the next incumbent of the post.

However, Thompson, who was assistant manager at the club as Gerrard broke through into the first team, believes that the 41-year-old would be welcomed by the fans.

The former Soccer Saturday favourite also insists his recent success in the transfer market would be a big draw.

He told the Echo: “I think he would be and you can see him as a natural fit. Obviously you have got to earn the right.

“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…if Steven comes I would be delighted, but if (assistant) 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."

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