Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has made known his intentions to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, according to reports on Thursday.
Steven Gerrard’s future at Anfield 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.
He has been linked with a move to MLS franchise LA Galaxy and a Daily Express report says he poised to go public on his plans on Friday to avoid speculation over his future becoming a distraction during the rest of the season.
"This is an era where 'legend' is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn't do him justice," Rodgers said in a statement following Gerrard's announcement.
"As a leader and as a man, he is probably incomparable to anyone I have ever worked with."
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”.
Liverpool offered Gerrard a new deal in November, but it is he has decided the time is right to move on at the end of the campaign and experience something different. Gerrard joined Liverpool as an eight-year-old and has made 695 appearances during a remarkable career at the club, scoring 180 goals, and lifted 11 trophies.
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.
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