Former Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz is confident that Steven Gerrard will become a "world-class" manager for Liverpool in the future.

Gerrard has overseen a magnificent 2020-21 campaign at Rangers, who seem destined to end Celtic's reign of dominance in the Scottish football scene as they lie 23 points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

The 40-year-old has won 99 of his 151 games in charge of Rangers, and Henchoz - who was sacked by Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax last month - expects his former teammate to return to Anfield in the dugout one day.

In quotes attributed to The Mirror, Henchoz said: "I played with some great players at Liverpool – Jari Litmanen, Nicolas Anelka, Gary McAllister, Emile Heskey, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2001.

"But Stevie was the best and could play brilliantly in any position – he was world-class and I realised that after two training sessions with him.

"He was only a teenager then but also a natural leader, not only through what he said but more through what he did on the pitch. I think he will become a world-class manager too.

"I follow Stevie's progress at Rangers closely and I wouldn't be surprised if, in the near future, he manages a top club like Liverpool. I played at Celtic for a short spell so I know how big the Old Firm clubs are.

"It might not be the best league in the world but there is huge pressure that comes with managing Rangers, so it wasn't an easy option for Stevie to go there. He's proved he can cope with the pressure and has been able to develop young players as well, so I think it's the ideal preparation for maybe managing a top club in England.

"He's doing a tremendous job and is going to win the league this season. Stevie will manage Liverpool one day, for sure – and I'd be willing to bet on that."

Gerrard recently witnessed his Gers team beat Hibernian 1-0 in midweek, and victory over St Johnstone on Wednesday would mark a century of wins as Rangers boss for the former Liverpool man.