For the first time in his life, Steven Gerrard will be desperate for Liverpool to lose today, as Sportsmail discovered when speaking to those who know him.

THE MANAGER

Jurgen Klopp has been in Gerrard’s shoes. As Borussia Dortmund boss, he returned to Mainz after 18 years there as a player and manager . . .

‘It’s strange, you pretty much like all the people you meet when you step into the stadium and that’s not normally the case. When you go somewhere it is easier to be very competitive. I could handle it, Stevie will handle it. I’ve never heard a negative word about Steven since I was here. He’s a great guy and will come here and want to win the football game.

‘After I shake hands, we will both go full throttle and I remember when we scored for Dortmund at Mainz I forgot all about my story at Mainz and celebrated like a crazy devil. He is allowed to do that as well!

‘From the first second you think about the game until the last second. After you have played it, when you are at home, it just feels different.