Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given Steven Gerrard his blessing to celebrate like a 'crazy devil' if his Aston Villa side score at Anfield - but he hopes he's not in the position to do so.
The Reds legend returns to Merseyside on Saturday afternoon to face his beloved boyhood club for the first time.
Anticipation has been building for the ex-midfielder's return to his former club ever since Gerrard replaced Dean Smith at the helm of Villa.
Liverpool boss Klopp joked that he would not answer any questions about his counterpart in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon but then went on to to say that he can celebrate like a 'crazy devil'.
He said: 'First thing I want to say....I will not answer any questions about Steven Gerrard today...
'I know [Gerrard] said "no sentiment", he's an experienced coach, but he has no idea how it will feel when he steps into the stadium/dugout. I had a similar thing first time I went back to Mainz.
'Stevie is friends with 99.9 per cent of the people who work at Liverpool FC. And the 0.1 per cent just haven't met him yet...
'I celebrated at Mainz [with BVB] like a crazy devil. Stevie is allowed to do that tomorrow. Let's just hope he has no reason to do so.'
Gerrard has made a strong start to life at Villa Park, winning three out of his first four games in charge while his old club have been in fine form themselves.
Klopp's side sit just one point behind league leaders Manchester City after going on a six-match winning streak.
The German boss gave Gerrard, who left Liverpool for LA Galaxy after 17 years at the club, his first taste of coaching with Liverpool's Under 18 side four years ago and the pair have always been in touch.
'He sent me a message and he said he's looking forward to a big hug on the side on December 11 so that's something to look forward to,' Gerrard said when he was unveiled as Villa's new boss last month.
And Klopp revealed he sent the former England international a message after Villa beat Leicester 2-1 last weekend, he added: 'After the last game I sent [Gerrard] a message; "not bad at all, see ya!"'
Depabclsy
0
For the first in our life time we Liverpool fans we don't want him to win..YNWA
Jeremycamp
2
trust me, they won't score, Liverpool will keep a clean sheet
Yatiklopy
0
does he need a permission slip to celebrate
Kekcenstu
0
Yidadempt
2
it's difficult to say who will win because Gérard proof his capacity hope Liverpool win
bolaji99
2
but my question is that, is villa capable of scoring Liverpool right moment
LFCredYNWA
4
He won't celebrate 😢 he is managing against us, that's enough✋ we love Stevie
Ahmedwafik
3
He wouldn’t celebrate of course
pibeilsuyz
5
it's going to be a game worth watching for sure.. A father and his prodigy.. whoever wins they'll still be proud of each other