Steven Gerrard

[marcus50bucks]

Liverpool FC @LFC 24s24 seconds ago
#LFC can confirm that Steven Gerrard is to leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season #LFCicon

[Assassin]

Liverpool Football Club can confirm Steven Gerrard is to leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season.

The Reds captain will bring the curtain down on a glittering Anfield career that has spanned nearly 17 years and included 10 trophies, as well as 695 appearances and 180 goals to date since joining the club's youth system aged eight.

Gerrard will not retire from professional football at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season. No decision on his new club has been made yet, but he will continue his career outside the United Kingdom and at a side that will not bring him into direct competition with Liverpool.

The 34-year-old admits it is with a heavy heart he will depart Liverpool, describing the decision as the 'toughest of his life', but has chosen to make it now to avoid speculation about his future.

Until then, the No.8 insists he will continue to concentrate all his efforts on helping Brendan Rodgers' side achieve both domestic and European success.

Explaining his decision, Gerrard said: "This has been the toughest decision of my life and one which both me and my family have agonised over for a good deal of time.

"I am making the announcement now so that the manager and the team are not distracted by stories or speculation about my future.

"Liverpool Football Club has been such a huge part of all our lives for so long and saying goodbye is going to be difficult, but I feel it's something that's in the best interests of all involved, including my family and the club itself.

"I'm going to carry on playing and although I can't confirm at this stage where that will be, I can say it will be somewhere that means I won't be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool - that is something I could never contemplate.

"My decision is completely based on my wish to experience something different in my career and life and I also want to make sure that I have no regrets when my playing career is eventually over.

"I can't thank Brendan, the owners and everyone at the club enough for how they've handled this and I am leaving on great terms. Also, I would like to thank my teammates and all the staff for their help and continued support.

"It is a very special place to be part of. It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool again, in whatever capacity best helps the club.

"One point that is important to make is that from now until the last kick of the last game of the season, I will be as fully committed to the team as I ever have been and giving everything I have to help Liverpool win games.

"My final message is for the people who make Liverpool Football Club the greatest in the world - the supporters.

"It has been a privilege to represent you, as a player and as captain. I have cherished every second of it and it is my sincere wish to finish this season and my Liverpool career on a high."

[marcus50bucks]

LFC statement on Steven Gerrard
2nd Jan 2015 - Latest News

Author:
Liverpool FC

Liverpool Football Club can confirm Steven Gerrard is to leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season.

The Reds captain will bring the curtain down on a glittering Anfield career that has spanned nearly 17 years and included 10 trophies, as well as 695 appearances and 180 goals to date since joining the club's youth system aged eight.

Gerrard will not retire from professional football at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season. No decision on his new club has been made yet, but he will continue his career outside the United Kingdom and at a side that will not bring him into direct competition with Liverpool.

The 34-year-old admits it is with a heavy heart he will depart Liverpool, describing the decision as the 'toughest of his life', but has chosen to make it now to avoid speculation about his future.

Until then, the No.8 insists he will continue to concentrate all his efforts on helping Brendan Rodgers' side achieve both domestic and European success.

Explaining his decision, Gerrard said: "This has been the toughest decision of my life and one which both me and my family have agonised over for a good deal of time.

"I am making the announcement now so that the manager and the team are not distracted by stories or speculation about my future.

"Liverpool Football Club has been such a huge part of all our lives for so long and saying goodbye is going to be difficult, but I feel it's something that's in the best interests of all involved, including my family and the club itself.

"I'm going to carry on playing and although I can't confirm at this stage where that will be, I can say it will be somewhere that means I won't be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool - that is something I could never contemplate.

"My decision is completely based on my wish to experience something different in my career and life and I also want to make sure that I have no regrets when my playing career is eventually over.

"I can't thank Brendan, the owners and everyone at the club enough for how they've handled this and I am leaving on great terms. Also, I would like to thank my teammates and all the staff for their help and continued support.

"It is a very special place to be part of. It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool again, in whatever capacity best helps the club.

"One point that is important to make is that from now until the last kick of the last game of the season, I will be as fully committed to the team as I ever have been and giving everything I have to help Liverpool win games.

"My final message is for the people who make Liverpool Football Club the greatest in the world - the supporters.

"It has been a privilege to represent you, as a player and as captain. I have cherished every second of it and it is my sincere wish to finish this season and my Liverpool career on a high."

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/177354-lfc-statement-on-steven-gerrard

[Norbs]

Would've preferred it with immediate effect. BR will have to play him more than perhaps he was prepared to and getting in to Europe is going to be hard enough as it is

[RichC]

Good on him for announcing this now and good luck with the move abroad. You get the feeling this is entirely Gerrards decision, perhaps he's realised himself that he can no longer play to the level he feels he needs to produce for Liverpool and if he can't do that then it's time to move on.

A season or two in the MLS would be well deserved after the service he's given us although I can imagine a fee Seria A sides taking a look at him as well

[Darkon]

Guess it was coming, but what a sad announcement. My favorite player of all time, and the best I've ever seen in our shirt. Carried us for so long, won everything but the domestic title with us and been a talisman on/off the pitch.

The last real leader in the squad as well, and one of the few the youngsters have to look up to / learn from right now. It's going to cost us more in the traning, his influence, his personality, the great captain he is etc. than on the pitch at the moment. Look at the way he's protected Sterling for example, or taken Henderson under his wing for a while. Still doesn't deserve half the **** coming his way at the moment, but his time is coming to and end. Would still be a fantastic player in a better team (like Lampard, Pirlo), but unfortunatly he can't carry us alone anymore and to many fans are misguided in judging him as a failure for that - or using him as the sole scapegoat for what is currently a team not functioning. He will still make a valuable contribution for the rest of the season, and hopefully we are looking at getting another leader in to the team at the end of this.

Going to miss him, 17 outstanding seasons with us

[Darkon]

Current teammates statement on Gerrard

http://xtra.liverpoolfc.com/listicles/sterling-sturridge-balotelli-and-20-more-current-team-mates-pay-tribute-to-steven-gerrard

[Lee]

[Lecter]

Guess it was coming, but what a sad announcement. My favorite player of all time, and the best I've ever seen in our shirt. Carried us for so long, won everything but the domestic title with us and been a talisman on/off the pitch.

The last real leader in the squad as well, and one of the few the youngsters have to look up to / learn from right now. It's going to cost us more in the traning etc. than on the pitch at the moment I'm afraid. Look at the way he's protected Sterling for example, or taken Henderson under his wing for a while. Still doesn't deserve half the **** coming his way at the moment, but his time is coming to and end. Would still be a fantastic player in a better team (like Lampard, Pirlo), but unfortunatly he can't carry us alone anymore and to many fans are misguided in judging him as a failure for that - or using him as the sole scapegoat for what is currently a team not functioning. He will still make a valuable contribution for the rest of the season, and hopefully we are looking at getting another leader in to the team at the end of this.

Going to miss him, 17 outstanding seasons with us

Great post and points

I was going to take some time off posting, which is why I have been absent from the site but I will comment on Gerrard

Hes been a fantastic servant for us and a truly great player and I wish him all the best for him and his family he deserves it

[G]

People are kidding themselves if they think this gives Brendan the chance to leave him out more as we try to move on. Johnson is as good as gone too yet he plays him non stop when he's fit too despite better options.

[Norbs]

Good on him for announcing this now and good luck with the move abroad. You get the feeling this is entirely Gerrards decision, perhaps he's realised himself that he can no longer play to the level he feels he needs to produce for Liverpool and if he can't do that then it's time to move on.

A season or two in the MLS would be well deserved after the service he's given us although I can imagine a fee Seria A sides taking a look at him as well

I think he's good enough to grace every league barring the EPL, La Liga included, but he's said that he'll be playing somewhere where he'll not compete against us, I've presumed that means anywhere in Europe. I don't think Italy is as attractive as the US these days

[RichC]

Sometimes losing a player like Gerrard is needed for the club to move forwards and it allows other players to step up (Fabregas is a good example) whether we have the players to do so is another matter BUT this is a massive opportunity for someone or a few players to step up and try to fill some of the void he'll leave.

[Kinell]

Im just waiting for the retiring jokes to come in about having a bad back from carrying us for so many years...

[G]

He can play anywhere and not be in competition with Liverpool, we won't be in Europe next season!

[Buzzo]

He should be a role model for every player at the club, and every player the club brings as an example of hard work and integrity with a natural talent we are unlikely to see again any time soon.

It is sad that it is time for him to go, but the entire club and Stevie himself need to move heaven and earth to ensure he finishes his career with LFC playing in a cup final.

A sad day.

YNWA Stevie.

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