Klopp ready to help Gerrard

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has promised to do everything he can to help Anfield great Steven Gerrard realise his ambition of becoming a manager.

Former Liverpool captain Gerrard is to rejoin his hometown club in February as an academy coach and Klopp said the 36-year-old ex-England midfielder would be assured of his support as he embarks on a new phase of his football career.

"We had a very good very long talk together," explained Klopp, speaking Monday at his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Southampton at Anfield.

"Everyone in this room knows better than I do he is a wonderful guy and it was important to know what Steven wants and he said he wants to be a manager in the future. That's cool," said Klopp.

"From my side I said everything I can do to help him on his way to be the best manager he can be, I am ready for this and I'd like to do it.

"Now he is at the academy it is good for us and for him it is perfect," the German boss added.