STEVEN GERRARD officially returns to Liverpool today to start work at the club’s academy.
The Kop legend starts his career in coaching that could one day take him to the home dugout at his beloved Anfield.
Gerrard retired from football after his season in the MLS with LA Galaxy last year and made his plans clear from the off that he wanted to become a manager in his own right.
The 36-year-old took to social media, posting a picture of his new Liverpool academy training kit and boots packed ready for his first day in the new job.
The former Liverpool skipper, who led the Red to Champions League triumph in 2005, will work under the guidance of experienced Academy boss Alex Inglethorpe at Kirkby.
Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo after his appointment:“It feels like completing the circle, I’m returning to the place where professionally it all began. However, this isn’t a decision based on emotion - it’s about what I can offer and contribute to Liverpool.
“I don’t think I need to explain to people what this football club means to me, but when I knew coming back was a serious option I wanted to make sure it was a substantive role and a role in which I could really help the organisation.
“Meeting with Alex Inglethorpe, seeing the work they are currently doing and want to do in the future at Kirkby, it just felt right. The right option at the right time, for all parties involved."
Gerrard, whose Anfield career spanned 17 years prior to his departure in May 2015, joins up with Inglethorpe's team as he looks to complete his UEFA A licence.
Current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has welcomed Gerrard's return to the club and has vowed to do all he can to help the former club skipper be the best coach possible.
Klopp said:"We had a very good, very long talk together - and it was important to know what Steven wants and he said he wants to be a manager in the future. That's cool.
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"From my side I said everything I can do to help him on his way to be the best manager he can be, I am ready for this and I'd like to do it.
"Now he is at the academy it is good for us and for him it is perfect. Being a manager is a job you have to learn and when a person like Steven Gerrard and the player he was is ready to make the steps, that is wonderful news for football.
"Combining his playing experience with all the things he will learn from now on will be a bright future. It is brilliant." Klopp added.
Gerrard was at Anfield as a BT Sport pundit to see Liverpool draw with Chelsea. The draw means Liverpool could drop to fifth if Manchester City beat West Ham at the London Stadium on Wednesday evening.
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