Klopp's message for Steven Gerrard and LFC fans ahead of Youth Cup tie
As Steven Gerrard prepares to take charge of a Liverpool team at Anfield for the first time, Jürgen Klopp has sent a simple message of advice to the Reds legend: ‘Enjoy it!’
The 37-year-old’s U18s side will take to the field at the stadium on Saturday afternoon for an FA Youth Cup fourth-round fixture with Arsenal, which kicks off at 3pm GMT.
It’ll be Gerrard's maiden managerial experience at the ground he ran out at as a player for almost two decades for Liverpool – and Klopp has some words of advice for the iconic former midfielder ahead of the contest.
Asked what his message to Gerrard would be, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “Enjoy it!
“Maybe the new dressing room will be completely new [to him]. I’m sure he’ll think, ‘wow, why didn’t we have that?’ because it’s maybe the biggest improvement we had so far in all of the different departments.
“We changed a little bit here and there, but that’s like another world. I hope he can enjoy that – and he can use my office if he wants! It’s nice.
“I like the idea that the boys get the experience. Not only for Steven, he’s had the experience there. But for the U18s it’s fantastic to play at Anfield.”
Supporters wanting to watch the fixture can attend for just £3 for adults and £1 for children and over 65s – and Klopp is hoping for a good turnout and an even better atmosphere.
He said: “If you’re a Liverpool supporter, go there and enjoy the atmosphere – and create an atmosphere.
“It would be fantastic if thousands of people could sing You’ll Never Walk Alone. I don’t think it happened a lot so far in English football [in a youth game], so why shouldn’t we be the city that does it for the first time?
“There’s enough space at Anfield. Bring the noise there.”
Kick off at Anfield is 3pm GMT, but you can watch Liverpool U18s' FA Youth Cup tie in full on LFCTV from 7pm on Saturday, with highlights on LFCTV GO that evening. Liverpoolfc.com will also be running a live matchday blog for the contest.