Steven Gerrard

[dom9]

The timing for this is horrible. It's going to be leaks batted back and forth until the end of the season.

I'm not so sure. The alternative would be for lots of distracting speculation to take hold until he made his decision. Get it out of the way, I say.

[Rich]

There just needs to be the next BIG footballing story to break and it'll go quieter on the Gerrard leaving front.

We just need a big transfer or sacking to happen.

[Venton]

There just needs to be the next BIG footballing story to break and it'll go quieter on the Gerrard leaving front.

We just need a big transfer or sacking to happen.

A replacement keeper would kill two birds with one stone

[Shaggy]

I think the difference is the manger and off field stuff tbh. They had all played under Ferguson forever and had a club with a lot of stability. Carragher and Gerrard have been through the lot with us for the past ~5 years and I think that takes that extra out of them. Had we had more stability on the off pitch and even on pitch I think it would be a different story?

Scholes, Giggs and Lampard where (are) playing for teams with a genuine chance of winning things - unfortunately you can't say the same for us. I'm sure they were happy to play a reduced role if it meant another medal around their necks.

Both good points

[Tee]

Also, look at the teams that the likes of Scholes, Giggs and even Lampard were trying to get into. Lots of quality players in their positions, whereas Stevie (quite rightly) will be thinking that he has no choice if he cannot get into a team ahead of the likes of Lucas and Joe Allen.

[Norbs]

I think it's all pretty clear now.

By the way, what is it about LFC players and not being prepared to accept bit part roles? Scholes did, Giggs did, Lampard does. Why won't our lads? Gerrard won't and Carragher wouldn't either.

Scholes and Giggs wanted to milk a few more premier league titles, whereas with Gerrard and Carragher that motivation clearly isn't an issue. IMO

[Norbs]

Scholes, Giggs and Lampard where (are) playing for teams with a genuine chance of winning things - unfortunately you can't say the same for us. I'm sure they were happy to play a reduced role if it meant another medal around their necks.

Should've read your post before I posted mine

[Pablo]

Also, look at the teams that the likes of Scholes, Giggs and even Lampard were trying to get into. Lots of quality players in their positions, whereas Stevie (quite rightly) will be thinking that he has no choice if he cannot get into a team ahead of the likes of Lucas and Joe Allen.

Yeah that's got to be a bit of a kick to the nuts for a player of Gerrard's quality

I was surprised to hear that Gerrard had only recently "had the talk" with Rodgers about reduced playing time. I think Rodgers bottled that one for far too long

[Fierce]

Stevie G should have been THE exception - he is the greatest player to wear that shirt, the most loyal and committed player to have ever worn that shirt, the most inspirational leader ever seen on a field of play. He is the very epitome of leading by example. How can the club treat him like this, waiting until just over 6 months of his contract remain to try and get him to sign for longer.

He had his head turned before but he stayed loyal to that shirt, he has been a huge worldwide ambassador for the club and been an influential reason players have joined. The club have taken the piss out of him again. Don't blame him for wanting to leave now tbh, why should he stay at a club that has treated him like this after the service he has given it.

Without him we would have been ****ed and probably been battling relegation over the past few years. He is still our best player, by an absolute country mile.

Tragic how this club is run now, from the very top, an absolute shambles. These turds couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery. They are out of their depth and more than ever I am convinced new owners, management etc are required as these people are hell bent on making us a middle of the range club on a par with Villa and Everton.

A bit more discretion from our captain wouldn't go amiss.

Why?

[Shaggy]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-gerrard-says-jordan-henderson-8396007#ICID=sharebar_twitter

Steven Gerrard says Jordan Henderson can become a great Liverpool FC captain

Jan 07, 2015 11:00 By James Pearce

'He's got the respect of the whole dressing room' after toughing it out at the Reds says Steven Gerrard

“Yeah of course. He’s a fantastic professional who tries to lead by example in every training session and in every game.

“He has really grown as a player and is improving all the time with experience.

“He can become a great captain for this club. He’s a fantastic player for me to hand the armband over to.

“I’ve got great respect for Jordan Henderson and I know everyone else at the club feels the same.”

Gerrard admits part of that respect stems from how hard Henderson had to fight to establish himself at Anfield following his £16m move from Sunderland in 2011.

He could have left Liverpool 12 months later but refused to throw in the towel.

“Initially, it was very difficult for Jordan,” Gerrard added.

“He was a Sunderland boy and moving to Liverpool was his first time out of the area. It was a big move at a young age.

“Playing for Liverpool, with all the pressure and expectation, is tough. It’s a very demanding club.

“Jordan stayed and toughed it out. It’s in difficult situations like that you learn a lot about the type of player and the type of character someone is.

“He knuckled down and worked even harder. He’s a true professional and a very strong character.

“Every day he’s in the gym doing extra work. He doesn’t drink but he looks after himself. He has made a lot of sacrifices to play well for this club.”

Steven Gerrard believes Jordan Henderson is the perfect choice to succeed him as Liverpool skipper.

Gerrard says the 24-year-old midfielder, who was appointed vice-captain back in September, has the respect of everyone in the dressing room.

“I certainly believe Jordan has everything you need to be a great captain,” Gerrard told the ECHO.

[Shaggy]

Confirmed - going to LA Galaxy in July.

[Bender]

No chance of a U-turn this time.......Where's Rick Parry when you need him.....Sad times indeed

[Vermilion]

If BR had told Gerrard he wouldn't get as much playing time back when Gerrard expected to be offered a new deal, then he probably wouldn't have signed it anyway, and today he might be feeling a bit pissed at being told that after signing if he had.

Not sure what the answer was to this tbh, i know what Stevie's best scenario would have been, that was to sign a long term deal and keep being the first name on the team sheet, but that wasn't really an option was it ?

[G]

Scholes, Giggs and Lampard where (are) playing for teams with a genuine chance of winning things - unfortunately you can't say the same for us. I'm sure they were happy to play a reduced role if it meant another medal around their necks.

I think that's exactly it, it's easier to accept a reduced role when you know there will most likely be more medals at the end of it.

[Fosterbloke]

Sad but inevitable. We need to think of the future now.