Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that his players have been encouraged by Steven Gerrard's presence in training.

The 35-year-old midfielder, who ended his 17-year Anfield career in the summer to join Los Angeles Galaxy, has returned to Melwood to train during the MLS off-season.

While Klopp has no plans to offer the former England captain a loan deal, he has welcomed Gerrard's influence in the dressing room.

"I said to the team before training, when he was with us in the dressing room, it's completely normal - it should always be like this," Klopp told reporters. "If you are a player like Steven Gerrard in Liverpool then the doors have to be open always - that's how it is at the moment. It's an important sign for all players.

"If you behave like him in the club, if you always give everything you have, then it's easy to come back and that's how it is at the moment. It's a good situation. He was a very important player and at this moment he is a very important player because he is in training.

"Everybody had a smile on their faces when they saw Stevie. It's good to have him here. We hope we can help him and he can help us for sure only with being in the dressing room - it's good."

Gerrard signed an 18-month deal with LA Galaxy in July.