Liverpool Transfer News: Steven Gerrard Potential Return Addressed by Don Garber

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has claimed he doesn’t expect LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard to return to Liverpool this winter on loan.  

As reported by Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph, Reds chief executive Ian Ayre has previously hinted that a deal was “conceivable,” and some preliminary talks had been held. But Garber has dismissed the possibility, per Burt, saying: “I don't think so. And I had not heard that was something that was being contemplated.”

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Winter loans have occurred before between MLS teams and European sides. David Beckham twice joined Milan on loan from the LA Galaxy, while Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Thierry Henry temporarily moved to Aston Villa, Everton and Arsenal, respectively.

According to Garber, it’s a kind of transfer we’ll be seeing less and less of: “I don't believe we are going to see many more off-season loans happening in our league particularly at what I would call the high-level designated players."

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Gerrard left Liverpool at the end of the 2014-15 season after a legendary spell with the club. In the first term since his departure, the Reds have enjoyed a solid start, with seven points accrued from a possible 12 so far. At this juncture, with plenty of options in the midfield, the absence of Gerrard isn’t immediately obvious.

As football writer Dave O’Connell notes, James Milner has helped fill the void with his own rumbustious playing style:

Instead of turning to Gerrard, there should be an added onus on other players in the squad to step up. One of those is Lucas Leiva, who, despite looking as if he was going to leave the club at one point this summer, is now Liverpool’s only natural holding midfield option.

Speaking to David Lynch of Liverpool’s website, the Brazilian has bullishly insisted he’s ready to fight for his place at Anfield despite coming close to a move:

"

Of course there are times when you think you might have to move on and I was very close to moving but one thing I will always have is commitment to this club.

I've been here so long and I always said if I had the choice to be here and be happy, I would always choose Liverpool. When your future is in doubt, you might have to think of another solution, but I'm happy that it didn't happen and I'm here to fight for the club as I have been doing for eight years.

"

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Lucas could turn out to be a key player for the Reds this season. While manager Brendan Rodgers can call upon players such as Milner, Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and Joe Allen in this area of the field, none of them possess the defensive instincts Lucas does, per OptaCan:

Getting Gerrard would certainly appeal to the Liverpool supporters, who are a emotive set of fans. But after saying his farewells last season and seemingly enjoying life in Los Angeles, a reunion just wouldn’t make much sense at this stage. Let's not forget, the Reds legend was struggling to hold down a starting spot in the first XI for long spells last season and hasn't been playing at a level near Premier League standards.

The midfielder is the club’s past now, and while his return would stir wonderful memories of virtuoso displays from years gone by, it’s imperative the Merseysiders continue moving forward if they’re to keep pace with the division’s very best teams.