Liverpool Transfer News: Steven Gerrard Ready to Join New Club If Forced out

Steven Gerrard has admitted he will look for another club at the end of the season if he isn't offered a new Liverpool contract.

The Reds captain has remained at Anfield throughout the entirety of his career, a rare feat in modern football. However, instead of retiring if Brendan Rodgers doesn't see fit to extend his deal, Gerrard has confirmed he will have no problem playing elsewhere.

Gerrard spoke to Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail:

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I'm only contracted until May. As it stands, I'm here until the end of the season and want to make the most of it. I certainly won't be retiring this summer. I will play beyond this season. We'll have to wait and see if that's at Liverpool or some where else. That's Liverpool's decision. If they don't come then I will see what's out there.

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At 34 years old, Gerrard's game has noticeably slowed across the past couple of seasons. He isn't the rampaging midfielder who consistently bombs forward any longer and now takes on a dictatorial role behind his younger, more agile team-mates.

An in-form Gerrard is still capable of significantly influencing matches. His free-kick gave Liverpool the impetus against Everton, while his last-minute penalty saw Liverpool overcome Ludogorets earlier in the season. Gerrard possesses a cool head when the pressure is on, even if the energy from his overall game has depleted.

Seventeen seasons with Liverpool is an extremely long commitment from the local star. His willingness to play for another club shouldn't come as a surprise, though.

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In 2005, Gerrard revealed he wanted to leave amid Chelsea's interest, saying the decision was "the hardest" of his life. The transfer didn't materialise, and nine years later, Gerrard admitted he may "regret" not taking Jose Mourinho up on his later offer of joining Real Madrid.

These kinds of offers are unlikely to come Gerrard's way again if he leaves Merseyside at the end of the season. He still has plenty of quality to offer a Premier League side—or indeed, follow Ashley Cole and Micah Richards toward Italy or another of the continent's big leagues—but an MLS switch could also be useful for the longevity of his career.

English stars including David Beckham, Jermain Defoe and Frank Lampard have all headed to America in recent years. Gerrard's class would dominate the division, which continues to grow with the arrival of older stars.

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Criticism has followed the Englishman's performances this season. Adam Shergold of the Daily Mail said extended playing time is "taking its toll." Stephen Kelly of ESPN FC described the topsy-turvy, perhaps over-dramatic scale with which Gerrard is now judged:

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Last season, during a sizzling streak of 11 straight victories, Gerrard's new role was a masterstroke that according to some -- Michael Owen for example -- could keep him playing at the top for another four or five years. 

Some poor results and a little extra attention from the opposition later, Gerrard is past it and the role is a big mistake. Somewhere in between, as always, lies the truth.

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Rodgers will undoubtedly continue to call on the star for his experience. Gerrard is a leader and an important ingredient of a midfield that also features the energetic Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho. His deep-lying role allows this duo to stretch their legs, but it is only a matter of time before the boss will decide to bring in a more mobile holding midfielder.

Players such as Sami Khedira and Ruben Neves have been touted, as reported by John Cross of the Mirror. Perhaps both would be needed to sufficiently fill the gap of a player who used to drag Liverpool to victory by the scruff of their neck. Like Manchester United's quest to replace Paul Scholes, Rodgers won't find a like-for-like of Gerrard's quality.

Of course, Liverpool fans know all about this. Luis Suarez's spectre continues to haunt the side's attacking output, highlighting the difficulty of replacing season-defining players. Gerrard's eventual departure will have a more subtle effect, but his continued influence—the important goals and cries of leadership—will be conspicuous in its absence.