While the national side was off playing a meaningless friendly against Spain earlier this week, one piece of news from afar caught the attention of English fans — Steven Gerrard, who enjoyed a distinguished 18 year career with Liverpool and England, was leaving LA Galaxy and considering the next stage of his career.
Gerrard joined the MLS side in May 2015 and during his 18 month stint scored five goals and produced 14 assists in 34 appearances.
A passionate born and bred Liverpudlian, he had been at the time that he would likely be a rotation player rather than a regular starter by then Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, so instead made the decision to leave in order to extend his career. The decision didn’t go down well among Liverpool fans, with most believing management should have tried harder to keep such a legendary player so he could retire at his hometown club rather than spend his final years in the “pensioners’ league.”
Ultimately, Gerrard’s LA Galaxy stint didn’t benefit either party. Galaxy supporters felt that the 36-year-old never fully committed to his MLS task – the most obvious example being his ongoing role as a television pundit. The job was with BT Sports in England, meaning he had to take the trans-Atlantic flight home every few weeks!
Gerrard’s performance at LA Galaxy was also inconsistent. His lack of commitment and the obvious signs that his best days had passed made this marriage look like it should never have happened in the first place as MLS tries to establish its status as more than simply a retirement home.
As for Gerrard, Los Angeles’ laid-back lifestyle was the most attractive aspect of the move for him and his family. Coming from the rain and cold of Merseyside, California was a dream — but it didn’t translate onto the pitch.
Now England and Liverpool are calling once again. It has been suggested that a role with his former club as a coach and part-time player would provide a fitting finale for a man that served the Reds so well, for so long.
Will the dream be reignited?
