Gerrard is continuing his Uefa ‘A’ licence with the assistance of Liverpool’s staff. His decision to stop playing was taken as he considered a variety of offers and the lure of rejoining his boyhood team is expected to be too much to resist.

Shortly after Gerrard’s statement, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reaffirmed the club’s desire to reunite with one of their greatest servants.

The will has been there to find a role for Gerrard in some capacity since the day he left Anfield. Talks have been ongoing in an effort to define exactly what form it will take – although the 36 year-old has been a regular visitor to the club’s Academy where the process of inspiring the next generation of Liverpool players is already underway.