Will Steven Gerrard really leave Liverpool in the summer?

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he will not retire from football if he leaves the Reds in the summer

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed that he would be willing to move clubs in the summer if the Reds do not offer him a contract extension.

He stated that he definitely will not be retiring from the game if he does leave Liverpool in the summer.

Continuing

It seems that Gerrard is not yet ready to hang up his boots. He told the Daily Mail: “I can only worry about this season because I’m only contracted until May,”

“As it stands at the moment, I’m here until the end of the season and want to make the most of it. I certainly won’t be retiring this summer. I will play beyond this season.

“We will have to wait and see if that’s at Liverpool or somewhere else. That’s Liverpool’s decision. If they don’t come then I will see what’s out there.”

Legend

Steven Gerrard will always be a Liverpool legend. The number of times that the midfielder has rescued the Reds from the brink of defeat, or dragged them through games is unbelievable. The silverware that the Reds have won in recent years has been assisted by Gerrard.

Undoubtedly his greatest moment in a Reds shirt came back in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, when he inspired his team to come back from three goals down to win the game on penalties. Gerrard is simply Liverpool through and through.

There are very few players at English clubs in the Premier League era that have shown such loyalty and passion for one club. When he does finally leave Liverpool no doubt he will be given a massive send-off.

Criticism

The 34-year-old has come in for some fierce criticism this season for his performances. He endured a poor World Cup with England and it seems that Gerrard has a World Cup hang over.

The criticism of the midfielders form this season even led to some Liverpool fans calling for Gerrard to be dropped from the team, which has not happened very often in his long career.

Effective

In recent seasons Gerrard has dropped into a deeper lying midfield role, often playing as a defensive midfielder. He proved very effective last season in the role, scoring 13 goals and creating a further 13, which is pretty good going for a player classed as defensive midfielder.

Granted a lot of those goals and assists came from set-pieces, but they still had a bearing on the Reds coming agonisingly close to becoming Premier League champions. Without Gerrard in their engine room they may not have come anywhere as close to success.

I think a lot of Liverpool fans need to stop being so fickle and get behind their skipper, who has given so much for their team.

Unimaginable

It is hard to imagine Steven Gerrard playing for a club other than Liverpool. He seems to be the epitome of a one-club player. The fact that he is playing for his boyhood club also adds to the mystic of the Gerrard legend.

Liverpool is the sort of club that need local talent as well. When long-serving defender Jamie Carragher retired from playing the team arguably lost some of its heart and soul. It will be the same when Gerrard leaves the club, but on a far larger scale.

If Gerrard does leave Liverpool, I can only see him chancing his hand abroad. I really cannot see him lining up for another Premier League club, especially against his former-team.

Staying

Despite criticism of Steven Gerrard’s performances this season, I do not think the club will let him go in the summer. The club hierarchy know that Gerrard is more than just a player and will no doubt offer the midfielder a one-year contract extension.

Steven Gerrard may be past his Premier League best, but he still has a lot to offer Liverpool and the Premier League in general. I doubt that Gerrard will be heading for the Anfield exit anytime soon.

Will Steven Gerrard really leave Liverpool in the summer?