Steven Gerrard could get Liverpool manager interview out of 'respect'

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard could be offered an interview as the Reds' hierarchy make plans to appoint Jurgen Klopp's successor as manager, according to one report.

Last month, Klopp shocked the footballing world with the news that he will stand down as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023/24 season.

The 56-year-old claimed he is 'running out of energy' after over eight years in the job.

Along with Klopp's departure, a number of key figures are set to depart, including assistant manager Pep Lijnders, while interim sporting director Jorg Schmadtke also left at the end of the January transfer window.

The Reds' FSG ownership now faces a critical period as they look to replace Klopp, find a new permanent sporting director and appoint the other necessary roles around the manager that help make the club successful.

Former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner to take over from Klopp this summer. However, the 42-year-old has remained coy on the job publicly, as he chases down a first Bundesliga title in Leverkusen's history.

The likes of Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton), Ruben Amorim (Sporting CP) and Julian Nageslmann (Germany) are among the other names most frequently linked, while 90min claims the Reds already have a seven-man strong shortlist, which also contains Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham), Roger Schmidt (Benfica) and Unai Emery (Aston Villa).

Additionally, 90min's report claims that while he is not on the seven-man list of options, club legend Gerrard could also be granted an interview, despite not being a serious candidate.

Once viewed as a near-cert to take over as Liverpool head coach one day, Gerrard's chances of landing the job have nosedived in recent years.

The 43-year-old, who came through the Liverpool Academy, sits third on the Reds' all-time appearances list and is first for appearances as captain. The former midfielder also lifted two FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Cup and was instrumental in the famous 2005 Champions League win.

After retiring as a player, Gerrard worked with Liverpool's youth setup before taking over as manager at Rangers, where he earned admirers after winning the Scottish Premiership.

However, a move to Aston Villa saw his stock fall, as the Premier League side struggled under his stewardship and he was sacked in October 2022.

Last summer, the 114-cap England international joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, where he helped facilitate Jordan Henderson's infamous and ill-fated move to the Middle East.

90min's report makes the surprising claim that while Gerrard is "not a contender" for Klopp's job, the club "would be in mind to offer him an interview out of respect if he were to ask for one."

The suggestion that FSG would hand out courtesy interviews during such a crucially important period appears unlikely, even considering Gerrard's status as one of Liverpool's greatest ever players.

Meanwhile, the prospect of Gerrard asking to be given an opportunity appear slim too, considering he signed a contract extension until 2027 in Saudi Arabia just last month.