Gerrard could have lifted a huge number of trophies had he decided to leave Anfield.
Xabi Alonso admits that former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard refused to consider signing for a Premier League rival due to his commitment to the Merseyside giants, the Daily Mail reports.
The legendary skipper officially announced his retirement from professional football last week, bringing the curtain down on a storied career which never quite delivered the glory or the rewards it deserved.
However, Gerrard will forever remain one of the most loved players in Liverpool’s illustrious history, with current manger Jurgen Klopp admitting he would be more than happy to welcome the 36-year-old back with open arms if he wanted to begin a coaching career at Anfield.
Prior to his retirement, Gerrard had also been linked with a return to British football under former managers Rafa Benitez and Brendan Rodgers at Newcastle United and Celtic respectively, but he has now closed the book on his career having played for just two clubs – Liverpool and MLS side LA Galaxy.
And Alonso, who won the Champions League alongside Gerrard in 2005, admits that the powerhouse midfielder had discussed a potential exit from Anfield but couldn’t bring himself to go through with the idea.
“He asked about things. We spoke about his plans. I am sure he would never have played for another English team,” the current Bayern Munich maestro said in quotes reported by the Daily Mail.
“He had a chance to try another club but he was really committed never made the call and that makes his career all the more special, to devote himself to one club.”
Gerrard revealed earlier in the week that he had rejected Chelsea’s advances early in the Roman Abramovic era due to his loyalty and love for the team that gave him his route into the professional game, the Express reported, with the former England captain something of a nostalgic dying breed in the modern game.
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