IT’S official. Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has confirmed he will leave his beloved boyhood club at the end of the current Premier League season.
The Reds are the only club the 34-year-old has ever played for, starting out in the youth team in 1987 before going on to play for the senior side for 17 seasons, 11 of captain, making 695 apperances and scoring 180 goals.
“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,” Gerrard said in a statement.
“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.”
Gerrard was rumoured to be joining Major League Soccer in the US, but refused to speculate exactly where he will end up next. He could only confirm it will probably not be a club in the EPL.
“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,” Gerrard said.
“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.”
Gerrard’s impressive resume of achievements has one massive omission - an elusive EPL title. Liverpool came agonisingly close last season, but in the crucial final games, the Reds were unable to finish the job.
“I can’t thank Brendan [Rodgers], 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,” Gerrard said.
“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.”
He will play 18 more EPL games for the Reds before the end of the season.
“My final message is for the people who make Liverpool Football Club the greatest in the world - the supporters,” Gerrard said.
“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.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment