bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Steven Gerrard has confirmed he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
Reds captain Gerrard’s Anfield future has been the subject of speculation for several months and he has decided to continue his career overseas when his contract expires in the close-season.
Read all our English Premier League coverage here
The 34-year-old, who scored two penalties in Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Leicester at Anfield, has already been linked with a move to MLS franchise LA Galaxy.
He confirmed his plans on Friday to avoid speculation over his future becoming a distraction during the rest of the season.

Gerrard said on Liverpool's website: "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.

	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

	Steven Gerrard 
"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."
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”.

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.
Gerrard’s announcement came after Rodgers rued the defensive  mistakes which he said were hampering his side’s attempts to build momentum in the Premier League following the draw with Leicester.

The Reds had a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to two penalties from Gerrard.
“They were two great penalties by Stevie, who showed great composure,” said  Rodgers.
However, goals from David Nugent and Jeffrey Schlupp ensured the Foxes  collected a share of the points as they hit back in the second half.
It left Liverpool seven points adrift of fourth place and Rodgers lamenting  the need for his side to tighten up at the back.
“We are disappointed at being 2-0 up and conceding the goals that we did,  poor goals and giving away the ball so cheaply,” Rodgers said.
“We have seven out of nine points, we should have more, at 2-0 even playing  as poorly as we did. We should have closed that out and it cost us.
“I think we have to do better on the edge of the box. The shots come in too  easy, and we have to be stronger and aggressive.
“We talked about it. We had a plan in place in terms of after the opponent  scores or after we score, the five minute spell, the idea of what to do and how  to work that but we didn’t do it.”
FACTFILE: STEVEN GEORGE GERRARD 
	Age: 34
	Date of birth: May 30, 1980
	Place of birth: Whiston, Liverpool
	Height: 1.83m
	Weight: 83kg
	
	PLAYING CAREER
	1998-present Liverpool
	Debut: Nov 29, 1998
	695 appearances, 180 goals
	
	INTERNATIONAL
	Debut: May 31, 2000 v Ukraine
	114 England caps (captain 38 games), 21 goals
	Retired from international football after 2014 World Cup
	
	MAIN HONOURS
	FA Cup: 2001, 2006
	League Cup: 2001, 2003, 2012
	Champions League: 2005
	UEFA Cup: 2001


Manchester City back on top of English Premier League but Saints draw raises doubts

Champions League roundup: PSG cruise into last-16 on Zlatan’s hometown return

Sealing place in Champions League last-16 can help turn season around, says Mourinho

Uefa ‘basically accept doping’ by not banning clubs, says Arsene Wenger

English Premier League 2014-15

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard confirms he's quitting club

Steven Gerrard is joining LA Galaxy, according to the Daily Express story. Photo: EPA

Steven Gerrard is a club legend at Liverpool. Photo: EPA

Steven Gerrard slotted two penalties against Leicester, but Liverpool squandered the two-goal lead. Photo: EPA

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard confirms he's quitting club

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Midfielder leaving at the end of the season

Midfielder leaving at the end of the season