Steven Gerrard must solve Aston Villa transfer problem to earn shot as Liverpool boss

Somewhere at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground, news that Jurgen Klopp had extended his stay at Anfield would have been met with a wry smile.

Not because Steven Gerrard has anything other than his eyes fixed firmly on Aston Villa, you understand. But Villa’s boss would have known full well that the reveal would have put to bed thoughts that Liverpool minus Jurgen equals Stevie G.

Given the quality of his squad, their age profile and potential, Klopp may well have created a dynasty by the time he leaves in 2026. Quite where Villa’s boss will be by then is anyone’s guess.

It would gladden everyone with a claret and blue heart if he had created his own indelible mark, creating a history of his own. That, however, is stretching reality too far at the moment. For however big Gerrard believed the job to be after taking over from Dean Smith, he knows now that it’s far, far in excess of those original thoughts. That it’s going to take more than the loan signing of Philippe Coutinho and a questionable upgrade at left-back to make good the brief he accepted.

Gerrard was first tasked with stopping the rot. That mission has partially been completed. Next comes the tricky bit - turn them into top six challengers. Unfortunately, it has become achingly clear to the former England international that he doesn’t possess the tools to do the job. Yes, Villa boast monied owners and a compliant chief executive in Christian Purslow who has staked his own reputation upon the Liverpool legend.

But the crop he inherited from Smith is way short. Indeed, there is a growing feeling at Villa Park that the £100m windfall generated by the sale of golden boy Jack Grealish has been wasted. And that Villa are no better off than they