Liverpool have confirmed that club captain Steven Gerrard is set to leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 EPL season.
#LFC can confirm that Steven Gerrard is to leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season #LFCicon pic.twitter.com/an6AjmFgvE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2015
Speaking on his decision Gerrard said, “This has been the toughest decision of my life, one both me and my family have agonised over for a good deal of time. It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool Football Club again, in whatever capacity best helps the club.” The 34 year old said that he was announcing his decision so that it won’t affect the team morale in the near future this season.
Gerrard: “I’m making the announcement now so the manager and team are not distracted by stories or speculation about my future.” #LFCicon — Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2015
“From now until the last kick of the last game of the season, I’ll be as fully committed to the team as I ever have been.”
A special message from Steven Gerrard to #LFC supporters… #LFCicon pic.twitter.com/cWWYlFqBL6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2015
A statement on the official site read: The Reds captain will bring the curtain down on a glittering Anfield career that has spanned nearly 17 years and included 10 trophies, as well as 695 appearances and 180 goals to date since joining the club’s youth system aged eight.
Gerrard will not retire from professional football at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season. No decision on his new club has been made yet, but he will continue his career outside the United Kingdom and at a side that will not bring him into direct competition with Liverpool.
Manager Brendan Rodgers said, “It is almost an impossible task to find the words to appropriately sum up Steven Gerrard and his importance to Liverpool. This is an era where the word ‘legend’ is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn’t do him justice. From a personal point of view I will always have gratitude for the support he gave me, when I arrived here as manager.”
Liverpool principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner jointly said: “This news stirs many strong emotions for all of us connected with the club. There is sadness that such a great player and person is leaving and won’t be playing for Liverpool beyond this season.”
As I write this, Andy Gray’s iconic voice comes to mind, “What a hit son, what a hit.” Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s No 8 always had the gift of timing.
Steven Gerrard's stats for this moment :') @LFC @BIGREDS_IOLSC @LFCIndonesia #Gerrard #Legend #YNWA pic.twitter.com/UoP6TDQFDW
— hendra hari wahyudi (@hendrahwahyudi) January 2, 2015
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
