Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he could retire from the game when his current contract expires in 2013, in an interview with France Football magazine published yesterday.
Gerrard made his debut for the club in 1998 and has since gone on to win two FA Cups, one League Cup, one UEFA Cup and the 2005 Champions League, when he inspired his side to a memorable comeback from 3-0 down against AC Milan.
“I will be 33 at the end of my contract in 2013 and I don’t know if I will go any further,” said Gerrard, 29, who was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for 2008-2009 after scoring 24 goals in all competitions.
ONE CLUB
“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,” he said.
“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,” Gerrard said.
“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,” he said.
The only major trophy to elude Gerrard in his Liverpool career is the Premier League title, as the Merseyside giants haven’t finished a season at the summit of English soccer since 1990.
CHALLENGE
But Rafa Benitez’s side pushed eventual champions Manchester United all the way last season, and Gerrard believes they will be able to mount an even stronger challenge next term.
“I think the experience of defeat will help us next season,” he said. “When you’re a player, it’s always hell to see other players lifting trophies.”
“The team made huge progress last season. Today we are much closer to the title than in the past,” Gerrard said.
“Manchester United have more depth in their squad than us, we have to be realistic,” he said. “But if we can add two or three quality players to what we already have, we’ll be at their level. The summer recruitments will be crucial.”
The Merseyside-born Gerrard has made 479 appearances for Liverpool.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
Top seeds Alexander Zverev of Germany and American Coco Gauff on Tuesday advanced to the third round of the Canadian Open after both players were pushed hard by their opponents. World No. 3 Zverev, playing in his first match since his first-round loss at Wimbledon, was far from his best, but emerged with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 win over Adam Walton under the lights in Toronto. Momentum shifted firmly in Zverev’s favor when he won a 52-shot rally in the first set tiebreak and he sealed the win on a double fault by the Australian in the second set. “It was a very
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen on Thursday said that he is staying with the Red Bull team next year, ending months of speculation over his future. “Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama, but, for me, it’s always been quite clear, and also for next year,” the four-time champion said ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “I’m discussing with the team already the plans — the things that we want to change for next year, so that means that I’m also staying with the team for next year,” he said. Verstappen has a contract with
RSS