4 Nov 2015

Contact Made: Klopp confirms 'phone call' with 'irreplaceable' £75k-a-week playmaker. Liverpool to sign?

Rumours are rife about a possible return to Anfield for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, but what are the chances of that happening?

On Tuesday evening, The Independent claimed:

"Steven Gerrard is in line for a return to Liverpool. Jürgen Klopp is convinced that [he] can help define the standards of professionalism he expects. There is [also] a chance of a playing agreement being brokered".

This will be music to the ears of many Liverpool fans, but when asked today about the possibility of Gerrard returning in a playing capacity, Klopp told reporters:

"I've had contact with Stevie. We had one phone call and a few messages. He didn't ask [about playing] so I don't have to think about it. If he wants to train that is absolutely no problem. He is an LFC legend and our doors are always open".

Klopp hasn't explicitly ruled out a return as a player, and it'll be interesting to see how he reacts if Gerrard - who earns £75k-a-week at LA Galaxy - specifically requests a return to the fold.

In terms of speed, technique, physicality, and competitiveness, the MLS is not in the same universe as the Premier League (Trust me, I regularly watch New York City FC live, and it 'aint pretty!), so given his advancing years, Gerrard faces a challenge to get back up to speed.

Gerrard is a focused, dedicated professional, though, and if there's a chance of playing for Liverpool again, he'll give 150% on the training ground to make it happen.

Dietmar Hamann is not in favour of 'irreplaceable' Gerarrd returning as a player. When asked a few months ago about the possibility, he tweeted:

"No [Gerrard should not return on loan]. I don't think it would be a good idea. Time to move on"

Perhaps it's sentimentality talking, but I'd love to see Gerrard back at Anfield in a playing capacity. A few years ago, Thierry Henry returned to Arsenal with great effect, and it was a poignant and magic moment to see him score again:


Paul Scholes and Didier Drogba also returned to Manchester United and Chelsea respectively in the past and did well, and I don't see why Gerrard can't do the same. Hell, Drogba was playing for Chelsea at the age of 37, and with modern fitness conditioning etc, Gerrard can certainly follow his example.

Gerrard should definitely return to Anfield for at least one loan spell, but he should also follow the David Beckham route and play for one or two of Europe's biggest clubs. He never got the chance to do that during his career, so he should take advantage of the opportunity now.

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Author: Jaimie K


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