Former Liverpool and England star Steven Gerrard calls time on ‘incredible career’

Midfielder, who also played for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, is considering a “number of options” about his next career move.

Steven Gerrard is considering what to do now that he has retired from professional football. AP Photo

Steven Gerrard’s playing career is over after he announced his retirement on Thursday.

Gerrard, 36, left the Los Angeles Galaxy earlier this month after a distinguished career with Liverpool and England.

“Following recent media speculation surrounding my future I can confirm my retirement from playing professional football,” Gerrard said. “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.”

Gerrard made 710 appearances for the Reds, scoring 186 goals.

He led Liverpool to their incredible comeback victory in the 2005 Uefa Champions League final, where they trailed 3-0 to AC Milan in Istanbul at half time before pulling back to 3-3 in the second period and winning the match on penalties.

Gerrard also won two FA Cups, three League Cups, the Uefa Cup and the Uefa Super Cup. He won 114 England caps, captaining his country at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

“I feel lucky to have experienced so many wonderful highlights over the course of my career,” Gerrard added. “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 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.”

Gerrard never won a Premier League title with Liverpool and arguably never came closer to winning one than in the 2013/14 season.

A 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Anfield in late April, when a slip by Gerrard allowed Demba Ba to race clear and score the first goal, proved to be crucial as the Reds ultimately finished second, two points behind Manchester City.

Gerrard left Liverpool at the end of the 2014/15 season to sign for Major League Soccer side the Los Angeles Galaxy but ended his association with the Californian club when their season ended earlier this month.

It is understood he subsequently held talks with Sky Bet League One side MK Dons regarding their managerial vacancy, and although those talks ultimately came to nothing he said in his statement he is considering “a number of options” regarding his next step in the game.

“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,” he added.

“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.

“I would like to thank Struan Marshall, my agent throughout my career, and the team at Wasserman for all of their support over the past 18 years.

“Away from football, I feel lucky to have had such a close group of friends that I have always been able to count and rely on throughout the course of my career. Thank you to all of you.

“Finally, the most important thank you; to my family. I cannot thank my mum, dad and brother Paul enough for their unconditional support over the years, it has meant everything to me. To my wife Alex and children Lily, Lexie and Lourdes, thank you for the constant love and support you’ve shown me. You’ve been there throughout both the good times and the bad and without you nothing would have been possible. Thank you for everything.

“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.”

Steven Gerrard bio

Age 36

Born May 30, 1980

Birthplace Whiston, Merseyside, England

Club career

Liverpool 1998-2015

Appearances 710

Goals 186

LA Galaxy (2015-2016)

Appearances 38

Goals 5

International career

England (2000-2014)

Debut May 31, 2000 v Ukraine

Appearances 114

Goals 21

Honours

Club FA Cup (2): 2000/01, 2005/06. League Cup (3): 2000/01, 2002/03, 2011/12. FA Community Shield (1): 2006. Uefa Champions League (1): 2004/05. Uefa Cup (1): 2000/01. Uefa Super Cup (1): 2001

Individual Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Players' Player of the Year (1): 2006. PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2001. Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year (1): 2009. Uefa Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2005

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