Liverpool Transfer News: Steven Gerrard Loan Talks Revealed by Ian Ayre

Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre has admitted that "it's conceivable" Steven Gerrard will return to Anfield on loan after he departs the club at the end of the season.

The Reds skipper recently confirmed he will join MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy when his contract expires in the summer, per BBC Sport. This decision is set to end Gerrard's career-long association with the Merseyside club and leave a chasm in Brendan Rodgers' squad, both on and off the field.

Ayre, however, believes the Kop could welcome their hero back on a temporary playing deal in the future. He spoke to City Talk's John Keith, per Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo.

"It’s conceivable [Gerrard will return on loan]," Ayre said. "It happens a lot in MLS, and it’s something we talked to Steven and his representatives about. You can’t have someone who has so much of the club’s DNA in them, and just expect that it will go away."

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Liverpool made a "substantial offer" to keep Gerrard, according to Ayre, who believes it's likely the player would have left even if he had signed a new deal prior to the current season, per Jones' report.

"Let's assume that we'd made that offer (in the summer) and that he'd signed it," Ayre said. "I think we'd still be in the same position today. Just like any player, at any club, if he all of a sudden isn't playing every week, they maybe start to think 'maybe this isn't the place for me now.'"

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Gerrard previously indicated he would have extended his Premier League stay if Liverpool had put a new deal on the table during the summer, as reported by Dominic King of Mail Online. A lack of playing time—which is best highlighted by Gerrard failing to start the away defeat to Real Madrid—eventually pushed the former England captain to move on.

"I think the key conversation or moment was with the manager when he sat me down not so long ago and said it was time to manage my games for me and for the team," noted Gerrard, per John Richardson of the Express.

David Squires of The Guardian, via ESPN FC's Alex Shaw, recently produced a humorous look at Gerrard's possible return to Liverpool (click image to enlarge):

Manchester City and New York City FC have created many headlines this season with their strange agreement for Frank Lampard. The former Chelsea midfielder signed for NYCFC—City's affiliate side—in the summer before agreeing to join Manuel Pellegrini's team on loan until January.

This deal has now been extended until the end of the season, as reported by BBC Sport. Such a situation has raised questions over whether it was ever intended for Lampard to play in the Big Apple.

More seriously, Ben Rumsby of The Telegraph suggests City may have exposed a potential "loophole" in UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules by signing Lampard in this manner.

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The English champions were fined and given a European squad cap after failing to break even last season, making Lampard's agreement potentially shady. City are confident they haven't "broken" any guidelines, though, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

It's likely the governing body will take a closer look at any similar deals coming through from the MLS. There's no doubt Liverpool fans will welcome Gerrard back anytime he wants, so representing the Reds could be a useful source of fitness during the MLS offseason.

Rodgers will rely on current vice-captain Jordan Henderson to lead the side's midfield. Henderson has massively improved alongside Gerrard in recent years and has the natural qualities to be a popular captain at Liverpool.

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He doesn't possess the outright attacking threat of Gerrard in his prime, but his tireless running and commitment make him an important player for Rodgers.

Liverpool fans are likely to feel comforted by Ayre's comments and the possibility of Gerrard making a return. There's a sense that he has plenty more to offer the club in the future, whether that's as a player, a coach or a manager.