Klopp backs Gerrard as successor despite losing return

Jurgen Klopp said he would “love” Steven Gerrard to be his successor after ensuring the former Liverpool captain’s return to Anfield as Aston Villa manager ended in a 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah’s second half penalty secured a vital three points for the Reds as they remain just one point behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Klopp’s men should have been more convincing winners as they dominated the vast majority of the game, but were frustrated by a combination of desperate Villa defending and poor finishing.

Liverpool had to withstand a nervy finale as Gerrard believed his side should also have been awarded a penalty when Alisson Becker bundled over Danny Ings.

“The first 75 minutes was incredible football,” said Klopp. “We played in the spaces we wanted to play but we did not finish the situations which is tricky.

“We scored with the penalty then the relief was obviously too big and it was an unnecessary open game. (The last 15 minutes) was like tooth ache! Nobody needs that.”

Gerrard said before the game he would gladly sacrifice some of his legendary status among the Liverpool support for a result on his first trip to Anfield as part of the visiting team.

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The man who scored 186 goals in 710 games as a Liverpool player was welcomed with gentle applause as he emerged from the tunnel, but there was no great fanfare for his return until the Kop chanted his name shortly after the full-time whistle.

“You have to understand when you come to the Premier League, you are going to have these days,” said Gerrard. “There is a lot of emotion, but I tried to focus on Aston Villa and make sure that is the priority.”

Gerrard, who joined Villa last month after three-and-a-half years as Rangers manager, has been tipped as Klopp’s successor when the German’s contract expires in 2024.