LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp said he would be “delighted” to see Steven Gerrard as his successor after ensuring the former Liverpool captain’s return to Anfield as Aston Villa manager ended in a 1-0 defeat earlier this morning.

Mohamed Salah’s second -half penalty ensured three crucial points for the Reds as they remained one point behind Manchester City on the Premier League stage.

Klopp’s side should have won more convincingly when dominating the game but were frustrated by Villa’s defense and blunt finishing action.

Liverpool had to hold off nervousness until the very last moment when Gerrard believed his side needed to be given a penalty when Alisson Becker fouled Danny Ings.

“We scored through a penalty and then the relief was clearly too great and it wasn’t an easy open match. (Last 15 minutes) Like a toothache! Nobody wants that.” said Klopp

Gerrard, who joined Villa last month after three and a half years in charge of Rangers, was placed as Klopp’s main replacement when the German’s contract expires in 2024.

“The good thing is that I have no problem with this,” Klopp said of his future speculations. “I wouldn’t be here forever and I’d love it if it was Stevie, but I don’t feel depressed today.”

Gerrard admitted there was a “different level between the two teams” in most of the match when Villa were heavily defending at home.