Former Liverpool captain has spoken of the moment he felt the urge to no longer stay at his boyhood club.
Gerrard, who leaves Liverpool for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy after 28 years of service, has revealed how manager Brendan Rodgers’ decision to bench him for a crucial Champions League tie against Real Madrid sealed his Anfield fate.
In an interview with BT Sport, the 35-year-old said: “When I was told I wasn’t playing, for the sake of the team and the squad and my relationship with Brendan, I took it and accepted it.”
Gerrard believes that was the moment he felt his days at Liverpool were coming to an end. The Reds legend felt it was apt to make a fresh start elsewhere, as he didn’t feel wanted at the Anfield outfit.
“I sat on the bench devastated because I wanted to play. It sort of pushed me into making a decision to move on and try something different,” said the former England captain of his disbelief at Rodgers’ move.
Liverpool went on to lose the game 1-0 at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium, which proved to be decisive as the Reds failed to progress past the group stages and were demoted to the Europa League as a result.
Gerrard was Liverpool’s top scorer in all competitions last season, finishing with a 13-goal tally.
