STEVEN GERRARD last night admitted the opportunity to become Liverpool manager would be a 'dream' but played down any chances of a departure from Rangers.
The prospects of Gerrard returning to Anfield as boss have long been talked about and the Reds legend is seen as the natural successor to current incumbent Jurgen Klopp when he quits Merseyside.
In an interview this week, Klopp, who has a deal with the Champions League winners for another three seasons, added fuel to that particular fire by stating he believed Liverpool would turn to Gerrard if he were to leave his post any time soon.
But the Light Blues boss isn't expecting a call from the Anfield board in the near future as he looks to deliver silverware success during his second term north of the border.
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Gerrard said: "The way I look at it, there is certainly no rush. Would it be a dream? Of course it would.
"But I’m in a fantastic job right now at a huge club. I’m honoured to be the Rangers manager, very thankful and appreciative of the opportunity.
"I’m right in the mix of this, my head is totally on the job in hand.
"But when the best coach in the world says something so flattering, of course it’s nice. As I say, though, when you look right into the quote it was ‘if I were to be sacked today’.
"If you had a list of managers in the betting shop for who is up for the sack, Jurgen Klopp would be right at the very bottom.
"It (2022) does [seem a lifetime away]. Especially when fixtures are slapping you in the face up here.
"But it will be here before you know it, because it does fly when you are in these seasons. It was the same as a player.
"The last 15 months have gone really quick. It’s been an eventful journey of ups and downs. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I’m sure there is more in the pipeline.
"For me, it’s just important to focus on now. A lot can happen from now until 2022. I’m really happy and settled here, focused on my job."
When Gerrard was unveiled as Rangers manager last season, he was questioned about his long-term ambitions in the game and the likelihood of him returning to the club where he enjoyed such glittering success as a player and stepping into the Anfield dugout in the future.
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The 39-year-old has made a considerable impact both on and off the park at Ibrox and Rangers are in a far stronger position now than when he and his staff, including assistant manager Gary McAllister, took over.
Gerrard has open lines of communication with Klopp and is grateful for the words of advice for the man named Fifa Men's Coach of the Year in Milan on Monday evening.
He said: "No [I haven't spoken to Jurgen this week]. I sent him a message after he won his Fifa award in midweek but I haven’t spoken to him for a few weeks. The last time was about Ryan Kent.
"His comments are obviously flattering from my point of view.
"But for me, as a Liverpool fan, if I’m correct in what he said, it was ‘if I get sacked today’. Well, Jurgen isn’t getting the sack!
"I don’t want him to get the sack and neither does any Liverpool fan on the planet. We hope he is at the club for many, many more years.
"He is someone I get on really well with. He has been a big help and support since I decided to go into coaching. He has been an open book with me.
"But I have no immediate plans to go back down the road. I’m really happy here at Rangers, I’ve got a big job. But it’s nice and flattering when someone speaks about you like that."
The relationship between Gerrard and Klopp has already paid dividends for Rangers in the transfer market and the Light Blues will reap the rewards of the deals done for Kent and Sheyi Ojo this term.
But it is the guidance the German can offer as a coach and a manager that could be the most important aspect for Gerrard as he looks to make his name in the dugout.
Gerrard's only previous coaching experience came in the Academy system at Liverpool before he was handed a four-year deal at Ibrox.
The England legend was left empty-handed during his first term in Glasgow as Celtic won a third consecutive Treble under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers and then Neil Lennon.
But he was backed by the Light Blues board in the transfer market once again during the summer as he added further strength and depth to his squad ahead of another crack at the Premiership title.
And while Gerrard is keen to pick Klopp's brains when he can, he is also wary of leaving the Reds boss to it as he looks to deliver a long-awaited Premier League crown this term.
Gerrard said: "Yeah, but there is a realisation he is one of the busiest men in football. He’s got big fixtures coming his way all the time.
"So it’s not something I do on a regular basis. But I know for a fact that if I do pick the phone up or ask to meet him for a coffee, he will do it at the drop of a hat.
"That goes for myself as well. Anyone here - the young players doing their badges or other coaches - you try and be as helpful to anyone you can.
"When you have someone with Jurgen’s experience, it would be very silly if I didn’t try to bounce off him from time to time.
"He’s been around the game an awful long time - he’s been there, done it, got the t-shirt. So it’s fantastic to have him available on the end of the phone."
Rangers have made a solid start to the Gerrard's second campaign at Ibrox and have suffered just one defeat - at home to Celtic in the first Old Firm game of the season earlier this month - so far this term.
It is on the European front where the Gers have excelled, though, as Gerrard guided his side through four rounds of qualifiers and into the Europa League group stages for the second consecutive season.
Victory over Feyenoord gave the Light Blues the perfect start in Group G and Gerrard is determined to continue learning and improving.
He said: "I don't think I could ever model myself on Jurgen.
"It doesn't matter what I do or what strings I add to my bow, I will never have the charisma and presence of Jurgen.
"Some managers are special and born to do what they do. He is certainly one of them.
"I'm very young and at a completely different end of the scale to him.
"For me, it's just about me trying to be a sponge and trying to soak up all I can from these managers.
"I need to keep trying to learn and grow as an individual. That's all I can do.
"At the moment, we are so lucky to have these managers so close to use in the Premier League.
"Klopp, Guardiola...I'm sure Mourinho is itching to get back in too. For me, it's gold dust just to watch them all work."
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