Former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt believes Steven Gerrard could take charge of the team one day.

Gerrard has struggled in his managerial career after an initially impressive stint at Rangers.

He could not find his feet at Aston Villa, while a move to Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League has not proved fruitful so far.

Speaking to The Echo, Kuyt said of Xabi Alonso, who is linked to the top job at Anfield: “People can say maybe it has come too quick but sometimes good things come very quickly and for me, definitely, he was always a guy during our playing time that was always thinking about the game; thinking tactically; talking always tactically outside of the pitch.

“So you could see from a distance a manager one day and for me, it would be amazing if one of my former team-mates like Xabi or maybe Steven (Gerrard) in the future will become a manager of Liverpool FC. That would be amazing and I think both will do well.

“Obviously you see Stevie is now a little further from the job but he also has experience with Glasgow Rangers and then Aston Villa. He is now maybe in a place where people don't like him to be but he is still doing the job and getting experience and that is how you become a better manager in my opinion.

“With Xabi, it is the same. I am really looking forward to who will get the job but if Xabi gets it I wish him all the best and I am really proud of my former team-mate for what he is doing there as a manager."