Steven Gerrard has been backed by former Liverpool FC teammate John Arne Riise to be the ideal successor to Jurgen Klopp to the top job at Anfield.
Recent reports have linked Klopp with an untimely exit from the Merseyside Reds in the near future and with Gerrard’s ever-increasing status in world football as a top manager, Riise claims that there are none better than the Anfield hero to replace the German coach.
Speaking to the Mirror, the ex-Liverpool full-back said that Klopp’s uncertain future at Liverpool FC rested solely in his own hands amid the Reds enduring a miserable title-defence campaign and that the recent plaudits coming Gerrard’s way in light of Rangers being crowned the top-flight champions in Scotland meant that the 40-year-old was ready to take over if required from Klopp.
“Obviously he won the league on Sunday, Stevie, which is a massive achievement for him and his team.
“I always knew he was going to be a success because he is a hard-working person, not just on the pitch but as a manager. I’m very happy for him.
“People are saying ‘He doesn’t have the experience yet, he’s young’. One thing I know about Steven Gerrard: he’s always going to be ready for anything that comes to him, because he’s that type of person.
“So I think that when Klopp decides to stop managing Liverpool – I think Klopp is the one to decide if he keeps going or not, he’s never going to get sacked, he’ll get an agreement to go when he doesn’t see a future there – when he goes if it’s one, two, three, four years, I think Stevie’s going to be the next man.”
Klopp’s men have faltered when required to step up in recent times and defeat on Sunday to Fulham was a sixth straight loss for the champions of England at their own patch on Merseyside.
Liverpool FC also face the daunting prospects of losing on the top-four status this season as the likes of Chelsea and West Ham United race past the Reds in the battle to ensure Champions League football.
