Anfield star is out of contract in the summer, what’s next for Steven Gerrard?
The term ‘legend’ is perhaps overused in this day and age but surely even those who don’t support Liverpool Football club would have to begrudgingly concede that Steven Gerrard deserves to be the recipient of such praise.
But with his contract set to expire at the end of this season, what’s next for the hero of Istanbul:
Liverpool stay
Now incredibly into his 17th season in the Anfield first team set-up the mercurial midfielder could find himself at something of a career crossroads.
Steven Gerrard had perhaps one of his best campaigns in a Liverpool shirt last term, providing assists and goals with regularity whilst also plying his trade in a relatively new withdrawn midfield role at times, but it’s fair to say the veteran has not been at his best this season.
The 34 year old’s current contract with the Anfield side expires next summer and Gerrard is keen to sign a new deal but has made it clear he has no intentions of retiring if that new offer is not forthcoming.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is clearly, and wisely, a manager who likes to plan for the future and has brought in a number of top young talents over the past 18 months whilst also affording academy graduates the chance to impress.
There is perhaps a chance that under such a regime the club would consider the tough decision of allowing Gerrard to leave the club for pastures new. A decision that would be hard for many to swallow.
The presence of a player of Gerrard’s experience alone is worth a great deal in terms of the knowledge he can pass down and if such a role requires a less regular first team role then you’d have to think that’s still an option the veteran would be open to, especially if perhaps partnered with a coaching role.
European switch
If a new deal is not forthcoming then perhaps Gerrard will look to the continent. The former England international has stated in recent interviews that he turned down a move to Real Madrid in the past and maybe an offer from a top European side would tempt the one-club man?
A chance to experience football elsewhere could be the perfect book-end to his glittering career and surely there would be no shortage of offers.
Whilst an offer from a massive side like Real Madrid man be behind him he could perhaps be tempted by a switch to a medium side venture for a year or two, with perhaps Champions League football being a prerequisite.
MLS/A-League
There is the option of an entirely different move, one perhaps partly financially motivated, to either the MLS or the A-League or even a move to the middle-east.
Such a move would earn Gerrard a king’s ransom and could see the Liverpool man become something of a figurehead elsewhere.
The MLS could be the perfect fit for the player and his family, Gerrard may well be the ideal man to fill the void left by David Beckham’s retirement from the game.
Premier League move
It’s a move that no Liverpool fan would like to see but it’s not unthinkable.
Frank Lampard left Chelsea for new MLS franchise New York City FC only to find himself being loaned out to Man City, a move that would surely have upset some Blues supporters.
Should Steven Gerrard entertain the prospect of a year or two at another Premier League side you’d have to imagine Liverpool fans would still applaud the player if he ever went head to head with his former club, especially if he was forced to consider such a switch if no new contract was offered.