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UP IN THE AIR

Steven Gerrard: Liverpool legend reveals he is yet to make a decision over his future as he ponders retirement

LA Galaxy midfielder says England should have used ex-pros in previous regimes

STEVEN GERRARD has revealed that he is yet to make a firm decision on his future.

The Liverpool legend, who currently stars for MLS side LA Galaxy, is 36 and coming to the end of an illustrious career.

 Steven Gerrard swapped the Premier League for America after Liverpool
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Steven Gerrard swapped the Premier League for America after LiverpoolCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Steven Gerrard and Rafael Benitez after Liverpool landed the trophy in 2005
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Steven Gerrard and Rafael Benitez after Liverpool landed the trophy in 2005Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

But the midfielder, who has started his coaching badges, is not sure whether he will continue playing or quit the game.

Gerrard told : "I haven’t made a concrete decision.

"I do know there’s not long left. I’m just waiting to see what happens and taking it week by week, seeing the last few months out of this season.

"I haven’t sat down with the Galaxy to speak about my future.

"It’s a bit up in the air at the moment.

"I’ll certainly miss it because I love it. I enjoy training the same as I did 10 or 15 years ago.

"The body’s obviously talking to me a bit.

"There’s a good chance I could play on next season but there’s a good chance that I won’t.

"It all depends on what opportunities come along in the next four to six months."

Gerrard will have plenty of options and is likely to be involved in Sam Allardyce's England set-up.

He has already begun his A Licence and has been in conversation with Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth over a potential role.

The FA are likely to turn to a number of former pros to help out the senior set-up - Frank Lampard, Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Lineker and others were all quizzed before the appointment of Allardyce.

Gerrard said that former players being around the squad could bring huge benefits.

 

He added: "It’s a waste on the FA’s behalf if they don’t involve players that have played for England over 100 times or 50, 60, 70 times,

"It’s a waste for England if people don’t tap into that knowledge and experience.

"I put myself in the kids’ shoes. If you’re 16, 18, 21 or if you’re Ross Barkley, Dele Alli and you turn up and play for England, do you not want to see Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand?

 Gerrard believes former England players should be involved with the national team
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Gerrard believes former England players should be involved with the national teamCredit: PA:Press Association

 

"I’d have loved that. I’d have loved to come into the England set-up and seen Paul Ince or Tony Adams pulling me aside and saying, 'What do you think of this, are they doing the right thing?'
"The FA are doing the right thing by tapping into the knowledge of the players but not just the recent players, players that have been there and done it a while ago, Alan Shearer, Paul Ince and others.

"These players have played the game at the highest level for 15 years.

"Let’s use these players to make the national team better."

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