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November 1, 2014

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Gerrard hints at Reds exit amid new contract limbo

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard says he could be forced to play for a different team next season if the club doesn’t offer him a new contract when his current deal expires in May.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, Gerrard says “I will play beyond this season” and that “we will have to wait and see if that’s at Liverpool or somewhere else”.

Gerrard, who has only played for Liverpool throughout his career since making his debut in 1998, added that it is “Liverpool’s decision” if he remains at Anfield but if they do not want him, then he “will see what’s out there”.

“I certainly won’t be retiring this summer,” the former England midfielder said. “I will play beyond this season.”

Gerrard also criticized what he called FIFA’s political decision not to include former teammate Luis Suarez on its shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or award as the world’s best footballer.

The list, unveiled this week, had 23 names on it, but not that of the Uruguayan striker, who was banned for four months by FIFA after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June.

He only returned to football last weekend, playing in El Clasico against Real Madrid for Barcelona, whom he had joined from Liverpool.

“He scored 31 goals and was voted best player in the hardest league in the world,” Gerrard said told the Daily Mail.

“So you tell me how he’s not on the Ballon d’Or list? Incredible. He should be fighting Cristiano Ronaldo for it. That’s a fact. I can’t believe it but that’s politics in football isn’t it?”

Liverpool has struggled so far this season without Suarez, partly because England international striker Daniel Sturridge has been out injured since the end of August and new signing Mario Balotelli has yet to score a league goal.

“I’m not looking for excuses but there are collective reasons for our stuttering start this time,” Gerrard said.

“We lost a key player, we’ve had a key player injured and other Premier League sides have improved.

“For me, when you talk about potential in this country, Daniel Sturridge is the player with the most. Ability-wise he is possibly the No. 1 (English) striker I’ve played with.”




 

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