Steven Gerrard opens up on 'uncomfortable' Liverpool return and makes 'don't belong' claim

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has discussed the emotions he felt at the time of returning to Liverpool after retiring in 2016.

Gerrard had departed Anfield in 2015 and pursued a career in America with LA Galaxy, before deciding to hang his boots up and retire from the game in November 2016.

In a bid to kickstart the next phase of his career in the sport, Gerrard returned to his former club to coach the Liverpool U18s in January 2017, after a talk with Jurgen Klopp who encouraged him to start at the academy levels in order to forge a successful career in management.

Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, Gerrard discussed his return to the Liverpool facilities after his playing days and the role Jurgen Klopp played throughout this time: “He’s so comfortable in himself, so much belief and charisma in himself, what he’s done before, the character, the man. I don’t think he’s seen it as a threat. I think previous managers might have.

“But I always got a feeling he was open arms, excited to have me in. I felt uncomfortable going back to Melwood. I’d been to America and when you’ve been away for a certain amount of time you feel like you don’t belong there, although you do.

“Every time I’ve seen Jurgen Klopp whether it be anywhere, I see him walking his dog, and it’s open arms and it’s real. Liverpool fans should enjoy Jurgen Klopp, I think he’s one in a million, he’s that good."