Rodgers: Others must step up

Preview: Wimbledon v Liverpool

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has warned his players they have to start learning to live without Steven Gerrard.

The 34-year-old captain will depart in the summer to pursue a new challenge in Major League Soccer, leaving a huge void behind him.

On so many occasions already he has carried the team but Rodgers said it is time for other players to start realising the responsibility now lies with them.

“It has to come from within. I felt here in my time even when Steven was on the bench the team are looking for him to come into the game,” said the Reds boss.

“This is an opportunity for the players from within to really go and step forward because come the end of the season he won’t be here.

“I see the likes of even young Raheem Sterling showing leadership qualities coming through and over the years you will see him becoming that world-class talent who consistently performs.

“We have enough players in that changing room who will now step up and shows that character which makes successful teams.”

Gerrard has revealed that being told by Rodgers recently that his playing time with the Reds would start to be reduced helped make up his mind to move on.

Gerrard said: “There was more than one moment that has made me come to this decision, but 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. I’m bright enough to realise it is the right thing for everyone, but when you’ve been a starter and a mainstay in the team for such a long time, it was a very difficult conversation to have with the manager. I accept it and I’ll continue to give everything I’ve got.”

After spending his whole career at his home-town club, Gerrard admits it is going to be tough to leave but he hopes to go out on a high by leading Liverpool to cup glory.

Gerrard, whose side begin their FA Cup campaign at AFC Wimbledon tonight, said: “There’s still a bit to go and I’d love nothing better than to walk around Wembley or a big stadium at the end of the season with a trophy for them (the fans).”

Gerrard concedes he cannot anticipate exactly how he will feel as the final days tick down on his time at Liverpool but, after a glittering career that has seen him become arguably the club’s greatest ever player, he is sure it will not be easy.

He hopes, though, that it will not be a final farewell, with the long-serving midfielder open to the possibility of returning to the club in some capacity in the future.

“The last couple of weeks will be probably how the last 24 hours have been — very tough. But I’m really proud of what I’ve done and hopefully I can write a few more chapters with the team from now to the end,” he said.

“But the last game and the last couple of training sessions are going to be torture, because it’s so tough to say ‘goodbye’. But hopefully it’s more of a ‘see you soon’ rather than a ’goodbye’.”

He added about the chance of returning: “I’ll only come back and serve the club if I feel as if I can help. If I sit down with the people who are running the club at that time and they see a role for me where I can help the team or help young kids to become players, of course I will consider it.”

Gerrard was immediately linked with a move to the United States following Friday’s announcement that he was leaving Anfield, with the likes of LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls touted as possible destinations.

The midfielder has now confirmed he will be heading across the Atlantic, but his next club remains as yet unknown.

He said: “I can tell the supporters at the moment that it will be America. But I’m not over the line with any team just yet. I’m close and as soon as I know, I’ll make the announcement, I’ll do the bits and bobs that I need to do. Then we try to go and win a trophy and forget about Steven Gerrard for a bit.”