Steven Gerrard is set to make the shock announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, ending a roller-coaster 25-year association with the English giants.
Reds captain Gerrard’s Anfield future has been the subject of speculation for several months and he is believed to have decided to continue his career overseas when his contract expires in the close season.
The 34-year-old midfielder, 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 and a Daily Express report says he is poised to go public on his plans later Friday to avoid speculation over his future becoming a distraction during the rest of the season.
Clubs from the Middle East will also express interest in Gerrard according to the report, with the former England skipper free to speak to foreign sides since the first minute of the new year.
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’s announcement that he plans to leave his boyhood team, the only club he has played for in his professional career, will come as a huge blow to many Liverpool supporters who anticipated he would extend his contract by at least another year.
Liverpool offered Gerrard a new deal in November, but it is said he has decided the time is right to move on at the end of the campaign.
Gerrard joined Liverpool as an eight-year-old and has made 695 first-team appearances, scoring 180 goals.
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.
But his hopes of winning the Premier League are likely to remain unfulfilled after Liverpool came up agonisingly short last season and lost out to Manchester City.
Gerrard returned to the starting line up for Thursday’s draw with Leicester after being rested for Monday’s win over Swansea.
But, with his performances below his previous high standards for much of this season, the prospect of being a substitute in more matches next season as manager Brendan Rodgers manages his fitness has helped shape his decision to quit Anfield.
– ‘What a player’ –
The Express report said Gerrard, who famously turned down two moves to Chelsea, will not play for another club in England out of respect for Liverpool.
Gerrard made his debut in 1998, coming on as a substitute in a game against Blackburn Rovers.
His club trophy haul includes the Champions League, UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups, one Community Shield and two UEFA Super Cups.
Gerrard was capped 114 times by England, having made his international debut in 2000, but he retired from international football after last year’s World Cup where England exited in the first round.
Former England star Gary Lineker tweeted that the Anfield giants owed Gerrard a huge debt for his loyalty and his performances.
“So that’s it then, Gerrard is going. What a player he has been for Liverpool. Dragged teams to levels they’d never have reached without him,” said Lineker.