Liverpool fans must often wonder what the current side would be capable of if it boasted some of the greatest talents of yesteryear.
Well they need wonder no more as Reds fans are going to get a glimpse of how some of the top Liverpool players from recent history would operate under the watchful gaze of current manager Jurgen Klopp.
It was announced on Thursday that former captain Steven Gerrard will play once again in the same team as legendary centre-half Jamie Carragher, as well as Daniel Agger and Steve McManaman, in a unique post-season game which will combine former and current players.
The four ex-players, all of whom remain fan favourites among the Anfield faithful, will join up with Klopp’s squad in Sydney in May for a friendly game which will kick-start the club’s celebrations for their 125th anniversary.
“It will be an honour to pull on the Red shirt and play football with an outstanding squad and former teammates – this is what Liverpool is all about, celebrating the family that has been around for 125 years,” Gerrard said of the news.
“Our fans in Australia always give us a warm welcome so it’ll be a great feeling to see the ANZ Stadium turn red on 24th May.”
It remains to be seen how many of Klopp’s current first-team regulars will make the trip to Australia after such a gruelling season and it’s unlikely that supporters will be treated to a situation whereby Gerrard joins Philippe Coutinho in midfield but it will still make for a fun watch.
“If somebody would have told me a few years ago that I would be the manager of Steven Gerrard, I would have said ‘Yes!’ It’s fantastic,” Klopp said.
“The best thing you could have seen was the eyes of Stevie when I told him – or asked him, actually, what he would think about it. ‘You want me to play?!’ I thought I would have to convince him… he said ‘Yes, of course, when?’
“It’s really nice. He is a 100 per cent football player and of course a 100 per cent LFC player. He is really looking forward to it, and I think the same.
“It will not be the longest preparation for the game I’ve ever done, I would say; maybe I’ll use his experience, not give him too much wrong advice and let him enjoy the game!
“I’m really looking forward for my players to play again with him, and for the people to see him again in an LFC shirt. It’s a really nice thing.”
