Steven Gerrard Misses the Premier League, Talks Liverpool, Management and More

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he misses the Premier League following his decision to swap Anfield for MLS side LA Galaxy at the end of last season.

The Liverpool faithful undoubtedly miss him too, and the 35-year-old has revealed that he could potentially still be plying his trade on Merseyside had he been offered the opportunity to begin his managerial education by the Reds hierarchy.

Gerrard's old club—where he spent the best part of three decades—take on arch-rivals Manchester United this weekend in the Premier League, and it is clear that the former England captain would love to be involved, per Lee Clayton in the Daily Mail:

"

Yeah, I do miss it (the Premier League). I miss everything about it. When I switch on the TV and see the stadiums, with 50, 60, 70,000 people — the aggression, the intensity, the tension. I am jealous. I miss the build-up, competing with better players, I miss being Steven Gerrard, Liverpool captain and walking out in front of my people with that pressure and trying to get a result for them. 

Yes, I felt like s--t some days because we lost. I would ask myself, “why are you putting yourself through this?” but the contrast is when you beat one of the top sides, the texts are flying in on your phone and you are on top of the world. I miss that. As much I am enjoying it out here with a fresh challenge, I’d like nothing better than being 25 again and with 10 years ahead of me in the Premier League, playing for Liverpool, but I’ve had my time.

"

It was something of a surprise back in January when Gerrard revealed that he would be leaving Anfield when his contract expired at the end of the 2014-15 season.

Having been a stalwart of the club for so many years and their captain since 2003, many had expected Gerrard to ease seamlessly out of his paying role and into the managerial setup at Anfield—much as Ryan Giggs has done at Manchester United.

The midfielder himself also seemingly expected such a scenario, and had he been offered the opportunity to carry on playing while also cutting his teeth as a coach, he would potentially have never left his beloved Liverpool, per Clayton:

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What would have kept me at Liverpool into this season was the chance of shadowing [current Liverpool manager] Brendan Rodgers and his staff as well as playing. Those ideas were only mentioned to me after I had announced I was leaving. 

I don’t know if I am going to be good enough to be a manager, or a No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4. Liverpool replaced coaches Colin Pascoe and Mike Marsh in the summer, so they were looking for a new No 2, or No 3 or No 4. I would have been tailor-made to fill one of these roles, as well as making myself available as a squad player. I could have been a good squad player, a good sub, as well as getting management experience that money can’t buy.

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The Reds have missed a trick in losing Gerrard. Though his contribution as a player was becoming less and less impactful last season, his inspirational leadership was still of great value.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

To lose that in the dressing room could prove damaging for the 2015-16 season. Liverpool have started in mixed fashion, most recently losing 3-0 at home to West Ham United.

The Old Trafford clash with United this weekend is absolutely vital, and Gerrard's immense experience of such a fixture could have been invaluable in the preparation, per Opta:

However, Gerrard did make the switch, and he has enjoyed a decent start to life in MLS, scoring once and providing three assists in seven appearances for LA Galaxy, per WhoScored.com.

His future surely lies back at Liverpool, though, and it would be little surprise to see him prowling the dugout at Anfield in a few years.

Gerrard may be missing the Premier League now, but a return to the English top flight seems inevitable.