Captain Steven Gerrard will join a US Major League Soccer team when he quits Liverpool at the end of the season but has yet to commit to a club. The former England skipper announced on Friday that he was ending his time at Anfield and moving abroad.
“I can tell the supporters ... it will be America,” Gerrard told Liverpool’s TV channel. “But I’m not over the line with any team just yet. I’m close and as soon as I know I’ll make the announcement.”
The 34-year-old midfielder has made 695 appearances and scored 180 goals for Liverpool after joining the club as an eight-year-old.
LA Galaxy are favourites to sign Gerrard and a move to California could reunite Gerrard with Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, who recently led them to a third MLS Cup in four years.
Keane endured a brief, unsuccessful spell with Liverpool but has excelled in Los Angeles where he was voted the leagues MVP this season.
Gerrard said the turning point in his decision to leave came when Brendan Rodgers told him he could no longer play every game.
“The key conversation or moment was when the manager sat me down not so long ago and said it was time to manage my games for me,” he added. “I’m bright enough to realise it is the right thing for everyone but when you’ve been a starter and a mainstay in the team for such a long time, it was a very difficult conversation.
“I accept it and I’ll continue to give everything I’ve got whether I’m starting, coming off the bench or whatever.”
Gerrard's former England team mate Frank Lampard left Chelsea last year to join New York City but was loaned back to Premier League rivals Manchester City and this week confirmed he would stay at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the season.
While Gerrard is unlikely to return to Anfield as a player, and has already ruled out featuring for another team against Liverpool, he said he could go back in the future in another capacity.
“I’ll only come back and serve the club if I feel as if I can help,” he added. “I wouldn’t like to come back just to be Steven Gerrard the player and just be around. I’d like to help in whatever capacity that may be.”
Jordan Henderson — the man who will take on Steven Gerrard’s mantle as captain next season — admits the players have to find a way of dealing with the impending departure of such an iconic figure.
Henderson was appointed vice-captain earlier this season but by the time he takes over the armband he will already be two years older than when Gerrard did so in 2003.
He knows he has huge boots to fill but accepts all the players will have a period of adjustment to make.
“It was a big shock this morning to see that Stevie will be leaving at the end of the season,” Henderson told BBC Football Focus. “It will be difficult because he’s such a leader of our group and such a figurehead — he has been for many years.
“It will be a shock to everyone, especially us players. We’ve just got to try to deal with it as best we can.”
Another Anfield icon Kenny Dalglish, whom many now regard as second to Gerrard as the club’s all-time best player, paid his own tribute.
“I don’t want to single out one goal or one performance,” he wrote in the Daily Mirror. “I just want to say I feel lucky that he was a Liverpool player and that I saw him play.”
Despite Gerrard insisting he would never represent another English club, Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has offered him a place next season.
“It is maybe a little bit strange to see Steven Gerrard out of the club Liverpool, and if he likes to continue, he can come (here),” said the Dutchman. “I am serious — if he likes to continue football in England, he can come.
“For Steven Gerarrd, you have always a position for him. He is a fantastic football player, really at the top level in the midfield position and the captain of the club, with an impressive football career.”
