Mark Lawrenson joined Football Saturday to discuss Steven Gerrard, Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Steven Gerrard took charge of Aston Villa for the first time on Saturday as his side beat Brighton 2-0.
Gerrard's full focus must be on those wearing claret and blue for the foreseeable future, most of the coverage has focused on his links to Liverpool. Villa are just a stepping stone towards the Champions League side. Not only was Gerrard a club captain at Liverpool, but the Premier League hall of famer also started his coaching career there.
He was the Liverpool under-18s manager in 2017 before taking over the Rangers senior team. It was during that time that Jurgen Klopp first introduced the idea of Gerrard succeeding him as Liverpool manager.
That was largely it though. Gerrard left and set about building his career in coaching north of the English border. Liverpool won a Champions League, a Premier League and have generally excelled under Klopp. Nobody is trying to rush into a new manager at this point.
And that's why the speculation looking past Aston Villa for Gerrard is foolish.
Former Liverpool and Ireland player Mark Lawrenson dismissed the idea of Gerrard taking over at Liverpool.
"I think they'll stay up, that's the first thing," Lawrenson said.
"You know this supposed story that Steven's contract and Klopp's contract terminate on the same day, it's an absolute load of rubbish. True or not true. He's not being groomed for Liverpool to be honest with you. He will if he does a good job at Aston Villa have a chance of becoming Liverpool manager but I know there's nobody at Liverpool saying he's going to be the next manager.
"They just want Klopp to stay there forever."
While Lawrenson thinks the Liverpool links are all speculation, he does see Gerrard and Villa s a good fit for each other. Villa have underachieved this season so far after losing Jack Grealish in preseason. Grealish was replaced by a handful of players who have yet to find form together.
That's Gerrard's primary objective as he attempts to keep Villa in the Premier League.
"I think it's a good move for him. I'd heard the other week that it wasn't all rosy at Rangers. Steven demoted the kitman because apparently, he was telling the chairman about all the stuff that happened in the dressing room. Steven went to see the chairman allegedly and said 'If you really want to know why don't you come in and sit in while we're all in there.'
"He's done what he was asked to do and I just think it's a perfect time for him to go."
Lawrenson believes the presence of Christian Purslow is key for Gerrard at Villa.
"Christian Purslow, Chief Executive at Aston Villa, he was at Liverpool when Steven was there. So he's going to get every single opportunity to improve the football club in terms of results and going forward."
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