Liverpool Legend and Soccer Star Steven Gerrard Announces Retirement
Former Liverpool and England captain Steven
Gerrard has announced his retirement from
professional football.
The 36-year-old revealed this month he would
not remain at Major League Soccer franchise LA
Galaxy beyond the expiry of his contract at the
end of the 2016 season.
The midfielder, who swapped Anfield for the
StubHub Center in 2015, has been linked with a
variety of clubs and management roles since the
news of his impending departure from the United
States.
And the Champions League and FA Cup winner
has now confirmed he will not seek another
playing role.
212 - Steven Gerrard had a hand in 212
Premier League goals for Liverpool (120
goals, 92 assists). Respect.
12:22 PM - 24 Nov 2016
744 612
OptaJoe
@OptaJoe
"Following recent media speculation surrounding
my future I can confirm my retirement from
playing professional football," he said in a widely
circulated statement.
"I have had an incredible career and am thankful
for each and every moment of my time at
Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy.
"As a teenager I fulfilled my childhood dream by
pulling on the famous red shirt of Liverpool, and
when I made my debut against Blackburn Rovers
in November 1998 I could never have imagined
what would then follow over the next 18 years.
"I feel lucky to have experienced so many
wonderful highlights over the course of my
career. I am proud to have played over 700
games for Liverpool, many of which as captain,
and to have played my part in helping the club
to bring major honours back to Anfield, none
more so than that famous night in Istanbul.
"At an international level, I feel privileged to have
won 114 England caps and to have had the
honour of captaining my country. I will always
look back with great pride at every time I pulled
on the England shirt.
"I am excited about the future and feel I still
have a lot to offer the game, in whatever
capacity that may be. I am currently taking my
time to consider a number of options and will
make an announcement with regards to the next
stage of my career very soon."
He featured in the Reds' memorable treble of
League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000-01,
winning the League Cup again in 2002-03 and
then replacing Sami Hyypia as the club's
captain in October 2003.
Gerrard will be fondly remembered for his role in
guiding Liverpool to the final of the Champions
League against AC Milan in 2005, helping to
orchestrate a remarkable comeback from 3-0
down at half-time to draw 3-3 and then win on
penalties.
He scored twice, including a long-range equaliser
in injury time, as Liverpool beat West Ham in a
shootout after another 3-3 draw in the 2005-06
FA Cup final. Just one more major trophy
followed, the 2011-12 League Cup under Kenny
Dalglish.
Gerrard may well be haunted by the memory of a
slip to give away a goal in a 2-1 home defeat to
Chelsea in 2013-14, a mistake and a result that
led an exciting team managed by Brendan
Rodgers to miss out on the club's best chance
to win the Premier League during the crowd
favourite's Merseyside career.
Liverpool and Gerrard also finished second, four
points behind Manchester United, with Rafael
Benitez at the helm in 2008-09.
Gerrard largely endured disappointment on the
international stage, reaching the knockout stages
of the European Championship in 2004 and 2012
and the World Cup in 2006 and 2010 without
advancing to a final.
He captained the team to a group-stage exit
from the most recent World Cup, calling time on
his international career in July 2014 after
England's swift return from Brazil.
Gerrard has announced his retirement from
professional football.
not remain at Major League Soccer franchise LA
Galaxy beyond the expiry of his contract at the
end of the 2016 season.
The midfielder, who swapped Anfield for the
StubHub Center in 2015, has been linked with a
variety of clubs and management roles since the
news of his impending departure from the United
States.
And the Champions League and FA Cup winner
has now confirmed he will not seek another
playing role.
212 - Steven Gerrard had a hand in 212
Premier League goals for Liverpool (120
goals, 92 assists). Respect.
12:22 PM - 24 Nov 2016
744 612
OptaJoe
@OptaJoe
"Following recent media speculation surrounding
my future I can confirm my retirement from
playing professional football," he said in a widely
circulated statement.
"I have had an incredible career and am thankful
for each and every moment of my time at
Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy.
"As a teenager I fulfilled my childhood dream by
pulling on the famous red shirt of Liverpool, and
when I made my debut against Blackburn Rovers
in November 1998 I could never have imagined
what would then follow over the next 18 years.
"I feel lucky to have experienced so many
wonderful highlights over the course of my
career. I am proud to have played over 700
games for Liverpool, many of which as captain,
and to have played my part in helping the club
to bring major honours back to Anfield, none
more so than that famous night in Istanbul.
"At an international level, I feel privileged to have
won 114 England caps and to have had the
honour of captaining my country. I will always
look back with great pride at every time I pulled
on the England shirt.
"I am excited about the future and feel I still
have a lot to offer the game, in whatever
capacity that may be. I am currently taking my
time to consider a number of options and will
make an announcement with regards to the next
stage of my career very soon."
He featured in the Reds' memorable treble of
League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000-01,
winning the League Cup again in 2002-03 and
then replacing Sami Hyypia as the club's
captain in October 2003.
Gerrard will be fondly remembered for his role in
guiding Liverpool to the final of the Champions
League against AC Milan in 2005, helping to
orchestrate a remarkable comeback from 3-0
down at half-time to draw 3-3 and then win on
penalties.
He scored twice, including a long-range equaliser
in injury time, as Liverpool beat West Ham in a
shootout after another 3-3 draw in the 2005-06
FA Cup final. Just one more major trophy
followed, the 2011-12 League Cup under Kenny
Dalglish.
Gerrard may well be haunted by the memory of a
slip to give away a goal in a 2-1 home defeat to
Chelsea in 2013-14, a mistake and a result that
led an exciting team managed by Brendan
Rodgers to miss out on the club's best chance
to win the Premier League during the crowd
favourite's Merseyside career.
Liverpool and Gerrard also finished second, four
points behind Manchester United, with Rafael
Benitez at the helm in 2008-09.
Gerrard largely endured disappointment on the
international stage, reaching the knockout stages
of the European Championship in 2004 and 2012
and the World Cup in 2006 and 2010 without
advancing to a final.
He captained the team to a group-stage exit
from the most recent World Cup, calling time on
his international career in July 2014 after
England's swift return from Brazil.
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