Steven Gerrard made his long-term management plan clear to Jurgen Klopp during lengthy discussions before sealing a Liverpool return.

The former captain is back at the club where he spent two decades having taken up a coaching role within their academy.

Gerrard turned down the opportunity to take over MK Dons earlier this season and delivered his lofty career aspirations to Klopp.

‘We had a very good, hosted vicidial long talk together,' Klopp said.
‘He's a wonderful guy and for me it was important to know what Steven wants.

‘He says he wants to be a manager in the future and that's good. I said from my side whatever I can do to make him the best manager he can be.

‘It's great for us and it's perfect for him.

Being a manager is a job you have to learn. It's wonderful news for football.'

Liverpool go into the EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Southampton a goal behind as Klopp guns to reach consecutive finals.

But Saturday's defeat by struggling Swansea meant Liverpool have won just one of their last six games in all competitions.

The German insists they can still make an impact in the Premier League title race, despite falling 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, who they face next week.

‘Look, we fight in each game - that's the most important thing.

In cup competitions the target is to win the tournament. In the league it's probably the same but it's not that easy to plan.

‘I think it's still absolutely important to finish as good as possible, whatever that means. We have the quality to fight for the Champions League.

If we do this and then are close enough in the decisive moment of the season you can fight a little bit more.

‘We still have to improve. I knew about our problems after the Christmas period. I saw before the Swansea game we were already on the right track.

The freshness was coming back.

‘We had a long meeting after the (Swansea) game and I'm ready for the rest of the season. We can show that we are learning. Everybody is responsible for everything.'