I'm leaving to win things

[Wilko7]

By Bob Cass, Mail on Sunday Sports Reporter Last updated at 3:56 PM on 17th January 2010
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Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is ready to quit the club he joined as a nineyear- old two decades ago.
The England midfielder, who suffered a hamstring injury in the humiliating FA Cup defeat by Reading in midweek, looked a lonely and dejected figure as he sat in the stands at Stoke City yesterday and watched his team held to a 1-1 Premier League draw.
Red rage: Gerrard's patience with Liverpool's lack of success under Benitez appears to have snapped
The result did little to help under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez as he battles to convince critics his team can salvage their season by gaining what is looking an unlikely Champions League place next season.
And it will not have helped Gerrard's mood as he wrestles with the dilemma of whether to stay with his home-town club and accept the frustration of yet another campaign without a major honour, or cash in on the final years of his career with a ?40million move this summer.
He will have no lack of suitors, with Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan and Premier League big spenders Manchester City believed to be interested in a deal.
Gerrard's discontent at Anfield has been obvious in a season when Benitez has again failed to mount a meaningful campaign for the championship and has struggled even to convince fans that a Champions League place is within Liverpool's reach.
Feeling the pain: Reports claimed Gerrard clashed with Benitez's assistant, Mauricio Pellegrino, over hamstring strain
That failure has left the manager open to speculation about his own future, and Gerrard ready to leave the club where he is held in such reverence by the Kop.
Sources close to City manager Roberto Mancini claimed last night that the Italian believes he can tempt Gerrard from Anfield to Eastlands after the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
Gerrard, always aware of feelings on Merseyside, could regard a move to another English club as problematic, in which case he could be more receptive to Mourinho's efforts to tempt him to Inter, although the former Chelsea manager has been linked with the Liverpool job should Benitez pay for his team's shortcomings.Spanish giants Real Madrid have also been monitoring Gerrard closely.
Gerrard's impending departure almost mirrors the situation at Anfield six years ago when he was on the point of making a ?20m switch to Chelsea. Then, after manager Gerard Houllier left following a trophy-less season, a disgruntled Gerrard admitted his disappointment at the club's lack of progress, saying: 'For the first time in my career I've thought about the possibility of moving on.'
Not again: Rafa Benitez can barely believe it as Liverpool concede a last minute equaliser at Stoke City and are denied a vital Premier League victory
Gerrard's decision to stay was justified when Liverpool, under Houllier's successor Benitez, won the European Cup in the Spaniard's first season in charge, coming from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Gerrard said afterwards: 'How can I leave after a night like this?'
But Gerrard almost did leave before suddenly deciding to sign a four-year contract following weeks of negotiations.
Gerrard's patience with Liverpool's lack of success under Benitez appears to have snapped with Wednesday's 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Anfield by struggling Championship club Reading.
Reports claimed Gerrard clashed with Benitez's assistant, Mauricio Pellegrino, over the hamstring strain which caused the midfielder's substitution, although Liverpool's manager yesterday denied any altercation. 'There was nothing,' said Benitez.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1243818/Steven-Gerrard-ready-quit-Anfield-Skipper-fed-Liverpool-struggle-Rafa-Benitez.html#ixzz0cvRqXUGR

 

[cobrastatus]

seems like baseless speculation but, honestly, if he leaves, I can't blame him too much. He's given everything for Liverpool for his whole professional life, the club is in a near-untenable position, etc. It would break my heart but I'd understand...

 

[Mersey86]

Its not too surprising - and, at the back of my mind I can't help thinking that 40m for a player who's career is likely to be on the wane would be a prettty good deal for us.

 

[Skullflower]

we wouldn't even get aguero for 40 mill.

 

[Terrier]

Dross football
Little or no hope for the future

This time, I wouldn't begrudge him. He deserves a lot more.

 

[zlatan18]

id be devastated but i would understand if he wanted to leave. the way things are atm are just shit! + 40mil for someone thats nearly 30 would be a good deal

 

[Wilko7]

When the going's been hard this season and the team have needed leadership and inspiration, he's been an utterly shit captain. Shit.

 

[Dreambeliever]

I can't see him turning his back on the club he captains and loves.

Captains of LFC go down with the ship.

He would never be remembered the same if he left us now.

It won't happen.

Rafa will walk.

 

[KopPoNok]

I hope he gives that former number 10 a call.

 

[Skullflower]

rafa wont walk.

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=38502.msg1036740#msg1036740 date=1263785247]
rafa wont walk.
[/quote]

Time will tell, but Stevie certainly won't.

 

[Fallon]

There's rumours doing the rounds that he's had constant rows with Rafa in recent weeks and that he also had a huge bust up with Pellegrino last week. Apparently he's said something like he won't play another season under Rafa and his staff, some are saying he said he'd never play another game under them after the Stoke one.

I still think he can't play as a link player, but he has been woeful this season and that isn't like him (injuries or not). I think there may be merit to some of the stories about, I think that may be part of what has been affecting his game.

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=Fallon link=topic=38502.msg1036744#msg1036744 date=1263785673]
There's rumours doing the rounds that he's had constant rows with Rafa in recent weeks and that he also had a huge bust up with Pellegrino last week. Apparently he's said something like he won't play another season under Rafa and his staff, some are saying he said he'd never play another game under them after the Stoke one.

I still think he can't play as a link player, but he has been woeful this season and that isn't like him (injuries or not). I think there may be merit to some of the stories about, I think that may be part of what has been affecting his game.
[/quote]

If he's throwing his toys around and issuing these threats then he should hand the armband to Reina and get on the transfer list.

 

[Fallon]

I agree, you play for the club and the fans before anybody else, so even if he can't get on with Rafa he should be professional.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

First of all let me say that I love Stevie, no homo, and I hope he never leaves us buuuuuuuuut....

if their is any truth to this story, it's not as if he is without fault in this whole shit sandwich of a season. He has been utterly pathetic on the pitch this season, save for a couple of moments of class. Of course the injuries have been a humongous wrench in the works but he has seemed more concerned about England and the World Cup then helping to lead LFC out of this mess IMHO.

 

[Wilko7]

Rafa has been held responsible for our four draw slump last January which allowed Utd to get into pole position. It was all down to his "Facts" press conference apparently.

Of course, it couldn't have had anything whatsoever to do with Captain Scallywag getting into a brawl after the Newcastle 5-1 game, spending the better part of a day in a police cell and missing training due to court appearances etc.

 

[Mistadobalina]

It would be a big worry if he went to City. Hopefully he leaves for abroad.

We might get 30 million for him and considering Aqua cost 20 million I think we would be massive losers on the deal, despite it being good money for a 29 year old, I think Gerrard could still have 4-5 years at the top left in him.

Watching Rafa walk off on Saturday looking totally frustrated, angry and about 10 years older, really made me feel for him and pissed off at the players who are letting him down. If they showed as much commitment to the cause as Rafa then we wouldn't be in this mess. Stand up and be counted at least. Get stuck in, get angry, don't be so fucking timid. Lazy self-important overpaid shithouse millionares with about as much backbone as politicians.

If Gerrard want to leave then see you later. I'm sick of these big headed shoe gazing 'contemplating if the clubs good enough for me"fucking 'pre-maradonas' anyway.

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=Mistadobalina link=topic=38502.msg1036760#msg1036760 date=1263790920]
It would be a big worry if he went to City. Hopefully he leaves for abroad.

We might get 30 million for him and considering Aqua cost 20 million I think we would be massive losers on the deal, despite it being good money for a 29 year old, I think Gerrard could still have 4-5 years at the top left in him.

Watching Rafa walk off on Saturday looking totally frustrated, angry and about 10 years older, really made me feel for him and pissed off at the players who are letting him down. If they showed as much commitment to the cause as Rafa then we wouldn't be in this mess. Stand up and be counted at least. Get stuck in, get angry, don't be so fucking timid. Lazy self-important overpaid shithouse millionares with about as much backbone as politicians.

If Gerrard want to leave then see you later. I'm sick of these big headed shoe gazing 'contemplating if the clubs good enough for me"fucking 'pre-maradonas' anyway.
[/quote]

Well said.

 

[Holle]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=38502.msg1036736#msg1036736 date=1263785025]
I can't see him turning his back on the club he captains and loves.

Captains of LFC go down with the ship.

He would never be remembered the same if he left us now.

It won't happen.

Rafa will walk.
[/quote]

Then again he's never been a good captain.

 

[TheBunnyman]

Gerrard would be a massive loss, not only in footballing terms but psychologically and symbolically. It would tell everyone that LFC was no longer a great club, that it couldn't keep its best players.

In strictly business terms, £40m for a 30-year-old would be almost unrefusable, although I suspect that figure's just been plucked from the air. City might pay it; no one else would. I doubt whether Gerrard would go to City, though having said that, it would seriously piss off the Red Mancs if he were to help City win the league.

Overall, though, if we're given a choice between losing a manager who looks like he's drowning and an iconic captain who looks like he wants to drown himself, I'd take the former every single time. Bring someone in who can get Gerrard playing like Gerrard again.

 

[Y1]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=38502.msg1036781#msg1036781 date=1263801297]
Gerrard would be a massive loss, not only in footballing terms but psychologically and symbolically. It would tell everyone that LFC was no longer a great club, that it couldn't keep its best players.

In strictly business terms, £40m for a 30-year-old would be almost unrefusable, although I suspect that figure's just been plucked from the air. City might pay it; no one else would. I doubt whether Gerrard would go to City, though having said that, it would seriously piss off the Red Mancs if he were to help City win the league.

Overall, though, if we're given a choice between losing a manager who looks like he's drowning and an iconic captain who looks like he wants to drown himself, I'd take the former every single time. Bring someone in who can get Gerrard playing like Gerrard again.
[/quote]

If he goes, I hope for 60m.

 

[Hansern]

Isn't the mail on sunday one of the worst tabloid rags?

It won't happen. He had his chance to leave, he won't do it now.

 

[Richey]

Obviously all the old 'no player bigger than the club' and 'gerrard can do one if he's not happy' arguments will come out but ultimately those only really work if the manager is worth keeping. He isn't though and we're not happy with him anyway.

And those who are saying Gerrard has been shit this season are not telling the whole story. He's been shit by his standards, which are much much higher than every other player. He's still been one of our best this season.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

[quote author=Richey link=topic=38502.msg1036798#msg1036798 date=1263804057]
Obviously all the old 'no player bigger than the club' and 'gerrard can do one if he's not happy' arguments will come out but ultimately those only really work if the manager is worth keeping. He isn't though and we're not happy with him anyway.

And those who are saying Gerrard has been shit this season are not telling the whole story. He's been shit by his standards, which are much much higher than every other player. He's still been one of our best this season.
[/quote]

No, he has been shit this season and the injuries are just an excuse. He's had eyes on South Africa this whole season and that is that.

Even when he has been fit this season he has done next to nothing on the pitch for Liverpool.

 

[Sunny]

I heard this rumours a few days back. Do I blame Gerrard for wanting out of Liverpool ? No. Do I blame hm for being a sulky little girl on the pitch and putting in performances totally unworthy of a captain? Yes I do.


Moan all he likes he's been one of the worst underperformersthis year and if anyone should stand up and be counted it should be your captain. Ours hasn't. If he doesn't want to play for the club and the fans then let him go. Personally, like Bunny, I'd rather Rafa go most definitely. And Tom and George for that matter.

 

[Richey]

Might that be a little unfair on Gerrard though?

I mean he's almost 30 now. He is playing in a weaker side now (be it ability or form, its weaker). Could it just be that he's finding it more difficult to drag the team up single handedly like he used to?

People have been very quick to claim that Carra is getting past his best for years now, is it too much of a stretch of the imagination that Gerrard might be starting to struggle slightly?

 

[Hansern]

Do you honestly see him leaving though Sunny?

I can't. What if we win the leauge while he's wanking about in Italy, he'd have a heartattack.

I think this rumour is doing the rounds as Gerrard is unhappy with Benitez, nothing more nothing less.

 

[manwithnoname]

Hopefully we can convince Gerrard to stay by sacking Benitez, because I know who 99% of most Kopites would prefer to stay at the club, given the choice.

That said, you couldn't begrudge him a move. He has done more than anyone else to bring us success over the last decade. A player of his talent deserves more medals.

 

[refugee]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=38502.msg1036812#msg1036812 date=1263806248]
Hopefully we can convince Gerrard to stay by sacking Benitez, because I know who 99% of most Kopites would prefer to stay at the club, given the choice.

That said, you couldn't begrudge him a move. He has done more than anyone else to bring us success over the last decade. A player of his talent deserves more medals.
[/quote]

/\ this

 

[Terrier]

It would be an utter tragedy if a player of Gerrard's obvious ability didn't lift a PL crown.

These reports wouldn't be surfacing if we had a pie in the sky hope of winning it sometime soon.

I can only assume he would go to the Chavs....City simply aren't big enough, yet.