It will be a special day when Aston Villa travel to Liverpool to face the Reds on 11 December. There’s no doubt that all eyes will be on the visitors’ manager because the visitors’ manager will be one of Liverpool’s favourite sons – Steven Gerrard.The former England midfielder is full of enthusiasm upon his return to the Premier League. His first non-playing job in his homeland has nothing to do with Liverpool. It will feel strange, but Gerrard will switch love for his boyhood club off that day – because his job is to win with Villa.”I don’t think me or anyone else will be able to control the noise in the stands that day. For me, that’s not important. What is important is the chance to go to Anfield and win, to take maximum points, which is the attitude and mentality we have going into every game. I want to win every game. My priority and focus will be for Aston Villa. One thing I can guarantee the supporters, the players and the staff here is that when I commit to something, I’m all in.”Welcome back, Steven Gerrard 🙌 pic.twitter.com/i7Ezy7n7hB— Premier League (@premierleague) November 11, 2021 The Birmingham club parted ways with their former boss Dean Smith and took a gamble with the rookie boss, whose only job so far has been in charge of Rangers in Scotland. He was excellent as he won the Scottish Premiership title with the Glasgow club, but managing in English top flight is a whole different challenge for Stevie G.”Aston Villa is an iconic football club that I know pretty well from the outside. I’m excited to get involved inside, start building relationships, get on the training pitch and get started. The excitement levels are really, really high. I’m very ambitious and the start can’t come quick enough.”Gerrard’s loyalty is now with Aston Villa (©AFP)The new Villa manager has made it clear in interviews that his tactics are based on all of his former coaches, from Gerard Houllier to Rafael Benitez, which perhaps indicates that the former midfielder is still searching for his own style. But whatever his playing style turns out to be – he would cherish a Liverpool defeat on 11 December.
