It appears as though Steven Gerrard’s time in the city of angels is coming to an end after the former Liverpool captain posted a major hint about his LA Galaxy future on Instagram.
What’s the latest?
Well, it has been widely speculated that the 36-year-old will walk away from MLS when his contract expires at the end of this season after spending the past 16 months playing for the Galaxy.
Gerrard departed his boyhood club Liverpool in 2015 after spending 17 years of his senior career on Merseyside, winning eight trophies, including two FA Cups and the Champions League crown.
The midfielder had hoped to add more silverware to his cabinet while across the pond, but Galaxy were ousted by Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup playoffs in 2015 and failed to reach the final this season as they were beaten on penalties by Colorado Rapids.
After 36 appearances and five goals across two seasons, Gerrard has suggested via Instagram that he is on the verge of leaving the American outfit.
What next for Gerrard?
At the end of last season, the midfielder hinted that at the end of his contract with Galaxy, he may retire altogether. If that becomes the case, the most likely venture for Gerrard will be coaching or punditry.
In October, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was asked whether he would welcome Gerrard back to Anfield in a coaching capacity, and considering the midfielder’s status at the Merseyside club, he did not quash the idea by telling reporters:
“Steven Gerrard is always welcome at Liverpool FC. You cannot imagine how welcome. So, absolutely no problem.
“But everything that we have already or will speak to each other stays in this talk. That is how I know Stevie and that is how I am. But nobody should worry that we have no space for Steven Gerrard. No – everything will be fine, 100 per cent.”
The midfielder may feel as though he has energy left in the tank, but it is no secret that Gerrard no longer has the legs to go on those marauding runs, nor does he have age on his side.
Despite that, he is likely to have options should he decide to prolong his playing career, with the lucrative Chinese Super League being a potential destination, but the chances of returning to English football as a player are arguably slim.
Should Liverpool take him back?
Gerrard will go down in Liverpool history as one of the greatest players to wear a Reds shirt having made 710 appearances and guiding the team to Champions League glory in 2005, as well as the FA Cup a year later.
At times, the midfielder single-handedly won games for the Merseyside outfit, but as the club currently stands, they are not crying out for Gerrard’s guidance in a non-playing capacity.
Under Klopp and the club’s American owners Fenway Sports Group, there is a strong sense of stability at the club given that the German coach recently signed a new six-year contract and the infrastructure is solid.
Michael Edwards was recently promoted to the newly-created role of sporting director, while Alex Inglethorpe extended his contract as academy director. So, should Gerrard choose to gain his coaching badges, Liverpool would provide an ideal base for him to do so, but a leading position for the former England international would be premature.