Liverpool - Steven Gerrard is set to make the shock
announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of
the season, ending a rollercoaster 25-year association
with the English giants.
Reds captain Gerrard's Anfield future has been the subject
of speculation for several months and he is believed to
have decided to continue his career overseas when his
contract expires in the close season.
The 34-year-old midfielder, who scored two penalties in
Thursday's 2-2 draw against Leicester at Anfield, has
already been linked with a move to MLS franchise LA
Galaxy and a Daily Express report says he is poised to go
public on his plans later Friday to avoid speculation over
his future becoming a distraction during the rest of the
season.
Clubs from the Middle East will also express interest in
Gerrard according to the report, with the former England
skipper free to speak to foreign sides since the first
minute of the new year.
Former Liverpool teammate Jamie Carragher described
Gerrard's decision as a "sad day".
"Sad day for Lfc & English football with the Gerrard news,
I think it's the right decision all things considered," tweeted
Carragher, who himself made 737 appearances for
Liverpool.
He added: "Leaving or retiring is a great confidence
booster, this morning my timeline was full of "whys
Gerrard starting" now it's "Gerrard best ever".
Gerrard's announcement that he plans to leave his
boyhood team, the only club he has played for in his
professional career, will come as a huge blow to many
Liverpool supporters who anticipated he would extend his
contract by at least another year.
Liverpool offered Gerrard a new deal in November, but it is
said he has decided the time is right to move on at the end
of the campaign.
Gerrard joined Liverpool as an eight-year-old and has
made 695 first-team appearances, scoring 180 goals.
His greatest moment came when he scored in the
Champions League final in 2005 and inspired Liverpool to
come from 3-0 down at half-time against AC Milan and
win the trophy on penalties.
But his hopes of winning the Premier League are likely to
remain unfulfilled after Liverpool came up agonisingly
short last season and lost out to Manchester City.
Gerrard returned to the starting line up for Thursday's
draw with Leicester after being rested for Monday's win
over Swansea.
But, with his performances below his previous high
standards for much of this season, the prospect of being a
substitute in more matches next season as manager
Brendan Rodgers manages his fitness has helped shape
his decision to quit Anfield.
'What a player'
The Express report said Gerrard, who famously turned
down two moves to Chelsea, will not play for another club
in England out of respect for Liverpool.
Gerrard made his debut in 1998, coming on as a substitute
in a game against Blackburn Rovers.
His club trophy haul includes the Champions League,
UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups, one
Community Shield and two UEFA Super Cups.
Gerrard was capped 114 times by England, having made
his international debut in 2000, but he retired from
international football after last year's World Cup where
England exited in the first round.
Former England star Gary Lineker tweeted that the Anfield
giants owed Gerrard a huge debt for his loyalty and his
performances.
"So that's it then, Gerrard is going. What a player he has
been for Liverpool. Dragged teams to levels they'd never
have reached without him," said Lineker.
Gerrard's impending announcement came after Rodgers
rued the defensive mistakes which he said were
hampering his side's attempts to build momentum in the
Premier League following the draw with Leicester.
The Reds had a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to two
penalties from Gerrard.
"They were two great penalties by Stevie, who showed
great composure," said Rodgers.
However, goals from David Nugent and Jeffrey Schlupp
ensured the Foxes collected a share of the points as they
hit back in the second half.
It left Liverpool seven points adrift of fourth place and
Rodgers lamenting the need for his side to tighten up at
the back.
"We are disappointed at being 2-0 up and conceding the
goals that we did, poor goals and giving away the ball so
cheaply," Rodgers said.
"We have seven out of nine points, we should have more,
at 2-0 even playing as poorly as we did. We should have
closed that out and it cost us.
"I think we have to do better on the edge of the box. The
shots come in too easy, and we have to be stronger and
aggressive.
"We talked about it. We had a plan in place in terms of
after the opponent scores or after we score, the five
minute spell, the idea of what to do and how to work that
but we didn't do it."
Source: AFP
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