Jürgen Klopp believes the presence of Steven Gerrard around Melwood can be of benefit to his Liverpool players.

The Anfield legend linked up with the squad for the first time on Monday to begin a period of training with the Reds to keep his fitness levels up during his end-of-season break from action with LA Galaxy.

Klopp revealed his charges were delighted to welcome Gerrard back to the complex, and feels he can serve as an example to his players before he heads back to the United States in the New Year.

The manager smiled: “He won’t play [against Southampton], but he was in good shape!

“I said to the team before training, when Stevie was with us in the dressing room, that it’s completely normal and it should always be like this - if you’re a player like Steven Gerrard in Liverpool then the doors always have to be open. That’s how it is at this moment.

“It’s an important sign for all players – if you behave like him for the, I don’t know, 50 years he was at the club, if you always give everything you have, then it is easy to come back.

“For us, it’s a good situation because he was a very important player at this club, and at this moment he is a very important player because he is in training.

“He trains well, if it is possible because we don’t have too much training because we always play – and I am sorry for this!

“It’s a good situation. Everybody had a smile on their face when they saw Stevie. It’s good to have him here and we hope we can help him, and he can help us for sure with being in the dressing room. It’s cool.”