Real Madrid snub prompted Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool exit

Departing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pin-pointed his omission against Real Madrid in the Champions League as the moment he decided it was time to leave.

The 35-year-old had already been told by boss Brendan Rodgers his game-time would be managed but the midfielder was desperate to play against the defending European champions at the Bernabeu.

However, he had to settle for a 21-minute substitute appearance and it was the pivotal moment in ending his 27-year association with the club.