Steven Gerrard has revealed that he would have signed a new deal at Liverpool had the club offered him one last summer, rather than waiting until November – by which points he had only 8 months remaining on his contract.
The details are revealed in an exclusive interview Gerrard has given to The Liverpool Echo newspaper. He explains: “Yes, if a contract had been put in front of me in pre-season I would have signed it.”
He, again, details a conversation with Brendan Rodgers about managing his playing time – which occurred around the same time Liverpool finally offered him an extension. By then, he says, he had been given “thinking time” and realised he did not wish to become squad player.
“It’s all ifs, buts and hindsight now,” he says. “That period between the summer and the end of November gave me thinking time.
“There’s no blame and I’m not angry about it. There are other people in the squad and the club had other things to worry about.
“Liverpool Football Club have been unbelievable for me since I was eight years old. This club has helped me fulfil my dreams over and over again.”
While some may suggest that Liverpool shouldn’t be allowing Gerrard to leave, it seems the decision has been Gerrard’s to leave: “I didn’t want to become a bit-part player,” he says. “Coming off the bench here and there.”
Of course, had Liverpool given Gerrard a new contract last summer, he would have signed it and perhaps then it becomes no issue.
Gerrard discusses the new challenge he will now embark on in America, expected to be Los Angeles, with his family: “It will be nice to try something different – a new country, a new culture. To take the kids away so they can experience something new.
“It will be nice to be able to walk out the door without being recognised.”
Yes, Liverpool should have offered Gerrard an extension last summer, but the decision now has been Gerrard’s to leave as he wants to be playing 90 minutes every week, something Liverpool cannot offer him at 35 years old – when his contract expires.
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