Football

Jurgen Klopp rules out playing return for Steven Gerrard at Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said Steven Gerrard "absolutely" can train with the club but "nothing else" despite speculation he could return.

A report in The Independent on Wednesday suggested that Gerrard, who left to play for Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of last season after 17 years with Liverpool, would train with the Merseysiders following his return to England this week and could possibly play again on loan or even following a transfer.


But, speaking ahead of the Reds' Europa League clash with Rubin Kazan on Thursday, Klopp dampened these reports.


“All I can say is that I’ve had contact with Stevie. One phone call and a few messages," the German said.


“If he’s in Liverpool and wants to train ahead of next season in LA that’s absolutely no problem. Nothing else.”


Gerrard, 35, admitted in a recent autobiography that he would have stayed at Anfield had he been offered a chance to start coaching there while continuing to play.


He said earlier this week that next year could be his last as a player.


Last week, MLS commissioner Don Garber said that there was no chance of marquee players like Gerrard being allowed to undertake a loan back to Europe during the American off-season, as the likes of David Beckham and Thierry Henry have done in the past.