Ace Gerrard rocks Reds with shock quit threat
STEVEN GERRARD has rocked England by insisting next summer’s World Cup could be his last after admitting he could retire in 2013.
The Liverpool captain will be 33 at the end of his current contract, when he says he wants to call time on his illustrious career as a one-club man.
Midfielder Gerrard also admitted he twice thought about leaving Liverpool, particularly when tempted by Chelsea in 2005, but insists his future remains with the Anfield club.
“I will be 33 at the end of my contract in 2013 and I don’t know if I will go any further,” Gerrard admitted. “If I do retire, then I will know that from the start to the end of my career I only had one club. And I don’t want to think about wearing any other shirt in the future.
“I was close to leaving in the past, maybe twice, most notably in 2005. That year we were a long way off the Premier League title and Chelsea’s interest turned my head. It was a difficult moment for me. However, now when I look back I am very happy that I chose to stay here. It has given me real pride.”
Meanwhile Liverpool are favourites to sign Portsmouth and England defender Glen Johnson. The Reds are reported to have had a £17m offer accepted for the right-back, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.