Friday 26 February 2016 20:07, UK
Steven Gerrard thinks the ‘Jurgen Klopp factor’ will propel Liverpool to glory against Manchester City in Sunday’s Capital One Cup final.
Liverpool visit Wembley this weekend, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, hoping to banish the memories of their last visit to the stadium, which saw them lose 2-1 to Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi-final last year.
The League Cup is the last trophy Gerrard lifted following Liverpool's penalty shoot-out win over Cardiff in 2012.
And the former Reds captain is convinced Klopp has instilled a level of belief in the players that will make them think they can win the trophy for a record ninth time in Liverpool's history.
"I believe they will do it. They have an extra element which will make a massive difference: Jurgen Klopp," Gerrard wrote in his first column for The Telegraph.
"I look at my old club under Klopp and I am certain they have appointed another winner. I can be sure he won't be interested in trivial pre-match questions about going to Wembley, or cup final suits and all those other traditions.
"His obsession, just as it was for (Gerard) Houllier, (Rafael) Benitez and (Kenny) Dalglish, will be about how to bring that trophy to Anfield.
"Those Liverpool players will be looking at Klopp and believing he is the one to lead them to numerous trophies.
"Klopp has a presence - an aura which I sensed when I was back at the training ground at Christmas.
"The way he delivers his message inspires players. There is an honesty and integrity about him and he lets his players know exactly what is expected in a clear way.
"People see the jokey side of him in public but there is steel in there. I wish I was younger and sampling it on a daily basis."
Those Liverpool players will be looking at Klopp and believing he is the one to lead them to numerous trophies.
The Liverpool manager thanked Gerrard for his comments during his press conference ahead of Sunday's final and urged his players to seize the opportunity to claim the first piece of silverware of his Anfield reign.
"Thank you Stevie, I gave him £100 for this!" he joked.
"Stevie so often in his life made the right decisions and said the right things so hopefully this is the truth too.
"I am not sure I am the difference but I know the way. There is absolutely no reason at this moment to have a doubt.
"I have to show it as clear as possible so there is no misunderstanding between my mouth and the ears of the players.
"We do this job in professional football, we only want to win things: titles, cups, whatever.
"A lot of managers work their whole lives and can be really successful but have never the chance to win something. Now everything is possible."
