Gerrard: I Am Not The Right Man To Replace Klopp

By Joshua Walters

Steven Gerrard has refuted suggestions he is the ideal replacement for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool saying the fact he is popular with the fans does not mean he is capable of succeeding the German.

The former Liverpool captain believes that the Reds currently have one of the best managers in the game and he being a successful player does not give him the quality needed to replace the latter.

Gerrard made his Liverpool debut in 1998 and developed to become the skipper of the side in a 17-year successful career that saw him lead the club to the 2005 Champions League trophy against AC Milan,although they lost against the same opposition two years later in another Champions League final.

Gerrard left Liverpool in 2015 as not just a fans’ favorite and legend, but also one of the best midfielders in his generation and captain of the England national team.

The Whiston, Merseyside-born 38-year-old veered into coaching after retiring at LA Galaxy in the Major League Soccer in 2016 to take up the managerial job at Scottish side, Rangers.

Many perceive the former England international as the heir apparent to Klopp who has brought Liverpool their former title-winning credentials and led them to the Champions League final last season where they lost to Real Madrid.

"Liverpool have one of the best managers in the world and are flying high," insists Gerard.

"Just because you have been a successful player does not mean you have the divine right to be next in the queue," he explains.

"Just because you are popular with the fans, it does not make you the right man to replace Klopp, if and when he goes. It is very presumptuous."

"It is also disrespectful to Rangers given the size of this club and everything they have gone through to just assume I have come here to learn and use it as a stepping stone to Liverpool.

"I do not see it like that, although that talk is something I cannot control."