Is Liverpool Legend Steven Gerrard an Anfield Manager in Waiting?

As Steven Gerrard’s 17-year career at Liverpool nears its finish, talk has already turned to when the inspirational midfielder will return to the club.

Gerrard, who turns 35 later this month, heads across the Atlantic after these final two games of the season, having signed an 18-month contract with Major League Soccer’s most successful side, Los Angeles Galaxy.

It will be a break from the pressures of life at Liverpool for the boyhood red and provide him with the opportunity to play week-in, week-out in the final years of his career.

After his stint in MLS is over, Gerrard’s football career will take a new direction, with the inspirational captain keen to move into coaching. This week he revealed he has already started his UEFA "B" licence qualification as he readies for life after his playing career has ended.

A return to Liverpool seems inevitable, rather than a possibility, and many supporters will already be dreaming about him lifting that elusive league title as a manager one day.

Return with Rodgers

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Speaking at his farewell press conference on Thursday, Gerrard reiterated his belief that had he met Rodgers earlier in his career, they'd have won many trophies together.

When he announced his departure from the club back in January, Gerrard said similarly: "I wish I met Brendan when I was 24 because I think that I'd be sitting here talking about a lot of titles that we'd won together," he said, per the Telegraph.

Rodgers himself said at his pre-match press conference on Friday that he would welcome a return for Gerrard.

"He’s somebody I’d love to have working with me when he has finished playing," said Rodgers, per BBC Sport. "That opportunity for him to come back will be there for as long as I’m here."

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Rodgers: "Steven leaving here isn't permanent. He's somebody I'd love to have working with me when he has finished playing." #LFC

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) May 15, 2015

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Gerrard has spoken glowingly of Rodgers this week, urging players such as Raheem Sterling to stay at the club and learn their trade under the Northern Irishman.

Such talk shows the respect Gerrard has for Rodgers. With both openly saying they are open to a return and should Rodgers still be in charge when Gerrard's time in California ends in November 2016, Gerrard could well be back at the club's training ground or academy.

Suitability

Of course, in order for Gerrard to be considered for a role among Liverpool’s—or anyone else’s for that matter—coaching staff he must actually be up to the job.

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"I think to take a position or role at this football club first of all you have to be good enough," says Gerrard, per Press Association (via This Is Anfield). Gerrard again displaying his humility.

Making the transition from player to coach isn’t always one that is achieved with ease. For every Pep Guardiola there’s a host of former players slogging it and often failing to make the grade on the sidelines.

There is, though, something that makes you think Gerrard would not fail. 

He’s never been one to shirk a challenge and his straight-talking honesty would fit nicely with a management role one day in the future.

Gerrard has always told it as it is, never one to simply give the media some cliched reply. Take his interview post-match last week after the ovation from Chelsea fans as the latest example. Gerrard was correct in what he was saying, but many players would have produced a robotic response and thanked Chelsea fans. That isn’t Gerrard’s way, he says it as he sees it.

The thought of managing Liverpool has clearly crossed his mind. Two years ago, Gerrard said it would be a dream for him to manage the club.

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Here's the back page of today's ECHO. Read the Gerrard interview here: http://t.co/7pTSf43eX8 pic.twitter.com/4QczGHp2rA

— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) May 15, 2015"

"The dream come true would be to manage Liverpool, when the Liverpool job becomes available," he told twentyfour7 magazine (h/t the Daily Mail).

Gerrard certainly has an esteemed list of managers from whom he can take experience from. This week he was asked for the names of coaches who have influenced his career, highlighting Gerard Houllier—who handed him the captaincy aged just 23—Kenny Dalglish, Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Rodgers.

On top of those he's also worked with Fabio Capello and Sven-Goran Eriksson at national level.

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Benitez took Gerrard's game to a new level from 2004 to 2009, improving him tactically and building the side around him and Fernando Torres. Houllier oversaw Gerrard's introduction at Liverpool and his first trophies in the cup treble of 2001. Rodgers got the best from him last season despite his ageing legs.

Each manager has very different attributes, Rafa the tactician, Dalglish the motivator and figurehead, Houllier the father figure. If Gerrard can take a bit from each, he has the potential to be a top manager himself.

Gerrard will benefit from the break away from life at Liverpool, perhaps be able to become almost a player-manager at LA Galaxy where his experience and knowledge will be invaluable to players eager to learn from him. Gerrard should embrace the opportunity and perhaps get some time on the training pitches in the Californian sunshine.

Gerrard's return to Liverpool seems inevitable, but then many said the same about Jamie Carragher when he retired—although Carragher hasn't quite discussed the possibility so openly as Gerrard.

One thing is for sure, there's nothing a Liverpool supporter would like to see more than Steven Gerrard managing Liverpool to Premier League title success one day in the future.