Steven Gerrard confesses he could retire at LA Galaxy in 2016
LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard has revealed next season could be his final one as he is considering a retirement from football next year, club’s official website confirmed. Gerrard has admitted he wants to conclude his illustrious playing career on a high by winning a title with the Major League Soccer outfit.
The 35-year-old joined the Los Angeles-based football club in the summer, halfway through the MLS season after spending his entire playing career at Anfield. Gerrard played over 700 games and scored 185 goals for Liverpool in his 17-year-spell at the club.
The ex-England international’s MLS contract is set to expire after 2016 and he has revealed that he might call it a day after his second season with the club. However, Gerrard has insisted that he’s looking to win the domestic league title, a feat he never accomplished during his time at Merseyside.
“It could be my last season as a footballer,” Gerrard said.
“I certainly don't want to feel like I'm feeling right now come next year. I'd love to go out on a high. It's a long season and I only came here for the last four months, but I'll certainly be better for the experience next year.”
Gerrard was fielded along with former Premier League stars Robbie Keane and Mexico’s Giovani Dos Santos. However, the trio failed to inspire Galaxy as they missed a chance to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs with a loss on the final day of the season. They ended up finishing fifth in the Western Conference and were forced to play away from home on Seattle’s Field Turf surface.
The former Liverpool star has admitted he has endured a tough experience with the MLS outfit during his first season, having dealt with different pitch surfaces and weather conditions over the course of the season. The Galaxy won just two of their 14 away games in the regular season and the ex-England captain has urged his teammates to turn it around next season.
“At home, we've got no problems because we're very strong and we play well.” he said
“We'll always win more than we lose. For us to move forward next year and finish in the top two spots - and avoid games like [Seattle] - we've got to be better defensively and stop conceding on set pieces and crosses.”
“Knowing this club and looking at it from the outside, I know that we'll try to improve in certain areas. We'll improve the squad, and we'll hopefully have a [team] that's ready to compete again next year.”