Gerrard has delivered a first Premiership title in a decade this term and written his name in Ibrox folklore by clinching Rangers’ 55th league flag.

The Liverpool legend has repeatedly been touted for an emotional return to Anfield to replace Jurgen Klopp and both his contract and that of his German mentor expire in the summer of 2024.

It seems inevitable that Gerrard will become Liverpool manager at some point in his career, but former Ibrox chairman King insists the 40-year-old still has unfinished business at Ibrox.

King said: “I think there’s a zero per cent chance of Steven going to Liverpool in the near future.

“I say that for two reasons. Liverpool as a club don’t abandon their managers very easily.

“Klopp has done a fantastic job, they’ve had a difficult season, but he is still a great manager and I think he’ll still be there next season, continuing to be successful.

“Secondly, Steven is not the type of man to break a contract. Steven extended his contract with Rangers full in the knowledge that it would require winning a title and then defending a title.

“Getting into the Champions League was another obvious target. I don’t think Steven will be satisfied with just winning the league. I know he wants to defend that league title and I know he wants to get into the Champions League.

“From Steven’s point of view spending the next few years at Rangers is going to be good for him, his career and, of course, it will be good for Rangers.

“A move to Liverpool is somewhere down the road and why would Steven want to go to another club? He loves the club, the supporters love him and he has the full support and backing of the board.

“He has a big task ahead of him, defending the league title will be important. It’s important the fans enjoy this moment because it’s been a long time coming, but next season will come around quickly.”