The chances of Steven Gerrard returning to Liverpool as a coach have increased after the club’s under-23 manager Michael Beale agreed to become an assistant at Brazilian club, São Paulo.

Though Gerrard has not been offered a role yet, Beale’s departure might provide him with an unexpected opportunity.

Following Gerrard’s retirement as a player last month, Jürgen Klopp has been considering ways of matching needs on his coaching staff with the ambitions of Liverpool’s former captain.

The vacation of the under-23 manager’s spot means there is necessity for restructuring within Liverpool's coaching set-up.

Klopp last week repeated his view that the "door is always open" for the Gerrard, suggesting there would be an announcement about his involvement at Liverpool at some point in the future.

Beale’s exit will be viewed as a loss considering his close work with Ben Woodburn, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ovie Ejaria. Against Leeds United on Tuesday night, Woodburn became the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history while Alexander-Arnold was named as man of the match.

Beale met Rogerio Ceni at a coaching course in September before Ceni was appointed as São Paulo’s manager on November 24. Photographs in Brazilian media revealed that Beale met Ceni, the former goalkeeper, in Brazil last weekend before travelling back to England for Liverpool’s under-23 fixture at Derby County on Monday night, a game that finished scoreless.

Gerrard could return to Liverpool as a coach (Getty)