Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard confirms retirement

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Steven Gerrard has confirmed his retirement from football.

The Liverpool legend left LA Galaxy earlier this month and has now decided to hang up his boots.

He made over 700 appearances over 17 years for boyhood club Liverpool before leaving the club to join Galaxy in 2015.

During his time at Anfield, the midfielder won the Champions League and two FA Cups.

On the international stage, Gerrard won 114 caps for England and led his country into the World Cup in 2010 and 2014.

 

In a statement, Gerrard said: "Following recent media speculation surrounding my future I can confirm my retirement from playing professional football.

"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 feel very fortunate to have had the career I've had but none of it would have been possible without the support of so many people.

"Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at Liverpool Football Club. I am proud to have played for and captained Liverpool for so many years and to have achieved what we achieved during my time at the club.

"I was lucky to play alongside some great players and under some fantastic managers during my time at Anfield and would like to thank each and every one of them, as well as all of the backroom staff at the club throughout my time there for the fantastic support they showed me.

"I would like to say a special thank you to Steve Heighway, Dave Shannon and Hugh McAuley for believing in me when I was making my way at Liverpool and for giving me the platform to go on and fulfil my dreams.

"Thank you to the amazing fans of Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy for the incredible backing you have given me throughout my career. Your loyalty and support has meant the world."

Gerrard's next step remains unclear with the midfielder confirming he had held talks with MK Dons about taking over at the League One side.

He admitted the move came too soon with a return to Liverpool in a coaching capacity on the cards.

Speaking last month, Jurgen Klopp said Gerrard would always be welcome at Anfield.

"You cannot imagine how welcome. So, absolutely no problem. But everything that we have already or will speak to each other stays in this talk," he said.

"That is how I know Stevie and that is how I am. But nobody should worry that we have no space for Steven Gerrard. No - everything will be fine, 100 per cent."