Steven Gerrard taking Liverpool risk as Jurgen Klopp blueprint adopted

Liverpool legend Gerrard is putting his future hopes of managing his boyhood club on the line by leaving Rangers to take on the Aston Villa job, according to Robbie Savage

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

Steven Gerrard appointed Aston Villa manager

Almost a week on from the dramatic loss to West Ham United, Liverpool players, staff and fans have had a chance to take stock of their situation this season.

Jurgen Klopp would have been concerned with some of the team’s defending in the 3-2 surrender, not to mention the 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion the week before. But overall the team appears to be in good shape amid the international grind.

When they return, Liverpool host Arsenal in the Premier League, which is a fixture they’ve tended to dominate in recent times. All associated with the Reds will be hopeful of their players returning from their international commitments unscathed and tearing into their opponents under the Anfield lights.

In the meantime, here are your latest Reds headlines.

How do you think Villa will fare under Gerrard? Let us know in the comments below!

Gerrard taking Reds risk

According to former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage, Steven Gerrard has put his prospects of managing Liverpool in the future “on the line” by taking the Aston Villa job.

The Reds legend has left Rangers to succeed Dean Smith at Villa Park and many have sensed the move to the Midlands could represent a stepping stone towards Anfield in the future.

But Savage believes that taking over at Villa is a tough job and if Gerrard struggles it could harm his burgeoning coaching reputation.

“The easiest thing to do for Stevie was to stay at Rangers. Try and dominate Scotland – you are going to finish first or second there anyway – do well in Europe, and when the time is right, when Jurgen Klopp has had enough, he’d be the natural successor,” he said.

“If he has an amazing time with Villa, it will be an even stronger, natural progression to Anfield. He has put himself and his managerial career and credentials on the line.”

Read the story in full HERE.

Mane injury update

Senegal manager Aliou Cisse has said the injury suffered by Sadio Mane is “nothing serious.”

The winger was withdrawn in the first half of his nation’s 1-1 draw against Togo with an apparent problem and the sight of the stricken winger naturally caused concern among Liverpool fans around the globe.

However, Cisse has quelled those fears and provided an encouraging update on the 29-year-old’s fitness.

“He is an important player for the team,” said Cisse. “We took him out as a precaution and there is nothing serious.”

Read the story in full HERE.

Gerrard backed to replicate Klopp

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes Gerrard’s Villa will follow a similar tactical blueprint to Klopp’s Liverpool.

Gerrard’s Rangers played an enterprising brand of football last season at Ibrox, as they romped to the Scottish title and ended Celtic’s nine-year dominance of the division.

He will be seeking similar success at Villa and Sutton, who is an avid watcher of Scottish football, believes his new team will play a high-intensity game.

“I’ve watched Rangers as much as anyone and know their style,” he said. “Gerrard hasn’t been a tinkerman in Scotland, so Aston Villa fans can look forward to a 4-3-3.

“That will involve a narrow front three with the two inside forwards staying close to the striker, much like how Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are in close proximity to Roberto Firmino. That leaves the fullbacks room to fly forward.”

Read the story in full HERE.