Steven Gerrard is in line for a sensational return to Liverpool following discussions with the club’s manager, Jürgen Klopp, The Independent can reveal.

Klopp has spoken to the former captain several times on the telephone since arriving at Anfield last month. The manager is now convinced that Gerrard’s presence will help define the standards of professionalism he expects around Melwood, Liverpool’s training ground.

Although Klopp has so far only debated the possibility of Gerrard training with Liverpool until 15 January when he is due back in the United States to rejoin Los Angeles Galaxy for pre-season, there is a chance of a formal playing agreement being brokered. However, that possibility is made complicated by Galaxy’s probable demands for a transfer fee, as Gerrard has another year left on his contract with the Major League Soccer club.

Galaxy are currently not willing to sanction a loan deal similar to the one afforded to David Beckham, who went to Milan twice in his five years at the club.

Gerrard is scheduled to land in London on Wednesday morning following an overnight flight from California. His MLS season finished in disappointment last week when Galaxy were eliminated in the competition’s play-offs by Seattle Sounders.

Gerrard scored twice in 14 appearances for Galaxy, having joined halfway through the 2015 campaign. Before returning to England he met with the club’s coach, Bruce Arena, on Monday and they discussed his future, with potential targets in the transfer market being high on the agenda.

Gerrard, 35, will take advice from friends, family and trusted colleagues within football before deciding whether it is appropriate to get involved at Liverpool again, even if it is just for training.

Jurgen Klopp's best quotes Show all 11 1 /11 Jurgen Klopp's best quotes Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>Signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan</b> "Mkhitaryan fits us like an arse on a bucket. What he offers is exactly what we need." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>On his wife's books</b> "She wrote a book for children. It's like Harry Potter - but it about football. There's no Harry Potter flying on his f****** stick - just football." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>His singing skills on the team bus</b> "I couldn't have been a rock star, although I do sing Country Road very loudly on the PlayStation karaoke game." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>What he told his players after a poor first half</b> "I told my players during the break: Since we're here anyway, we might actually play a bit of football." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>Are players banned from having sex before matches?</b> "My players sleep in double rooms the night before the match. I hope that nothing happens." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>To a rival Schalke fan on the secret of winning the Bundesliga</b> "How do you explain to a blind person what colour is?" Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>Borussia Dortmund's rivalry with Bayern Munich</b> "We have a bow and arrow and if we aim well, we can hit the target. The problem is that Bayern has a bazooka. The probability that they will hit the target is clearly higher. But then Robin Hood was apparently quite successful." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>On his playing career<b/> "I never succeeded in bringing to the field what was going on in my brain. I had the talent for the fifth division, and the mind for the Bundesliga. The result was a career in the second division." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>On Bayern</b> "They are like the Chinese in the business world. They look at what others are doing and copy it, just with more money." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>Losing the 2013 Champions League final</b> "The only thing I can say is that it was great. London is the town of the Olympic Games. The weather was good, everything is OK. Only the result is s***." Jurgen Klopp's best quotes <b>On having had a hair transplant</b> "Yes, it's true. I underwent a hair transplant. And I think the results are really cool, don't you?"

While he sees the American experience as beneficial, and he enjoys the lifestyle, he has missed Liverpool acutely as well as the cut and thrust of the Premier League – a level at which he believes he can still have an impact.

Steven Gerrard unveiled at LA Galaxy

Gerrard is expected to attend Liverpool’s home match with Crystal Palace on Sunday and should meet Klopp in person for the first time early next week when the pair will try and plot the way forward.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates with his players after victory over Chelsea (Getty Images)

Klopp has operated with three central midfielders in each of his five games in charge of Liverpool. He appreciates that if he is to achieve a top-four Premier League finish, while making progress in the FA and League Cups as well as the Europa League, he will need increased depth in his squad.

Alternatively, a rather more straightforward training agreement between player and club might allow Gerrard to help with coaching and Klopp is still considering whether he needs a former player to supplement his staff after the departure of Gary McAllister, who served briefly under Brendan Rodgers.