Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard has announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season. The 35 year-old footballer who made his debut at Anfield on 29th November, 1998 made the announcement on Liverpool’s official website.
He said it is the toughest decision of his life and one which both he and his family 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.
‘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 [Rodgers], 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 team-mates and all the staff for their help and continued support. “He added.
The English player scored 180 goals in 695 games, won1 Champions League, 2 FA Cups, 3 League Cups,1 UEFA Cup, 2 UEFA Super Cups,1 Charity Shield