Source: Daily_Mail
Gerrard ready to quit Anfield: Skipper fed up as Liverpool struggle again
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is ready to quit the club he joined as a nineyear- old two decades ago.[LNB]The England midfielder, who suffered a hamstring injury in the humiliating FA Cup defeat by Reading in midweek, looked a lonely and dejected figure as he sat in the stands at Stoke City yesterday and watched his team held to a 1-1 Premier League draw.[LNB] Red rage: Gerrard's patience withLiverpool's lack of success underBenitez appears to have snapped[LNB]The result did little to help under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez as he battles to convince critics his team can salvage their season by gaining what is looking an unlikely Champions League place next season.[LNB]And it will not have helped Gerrard's mood as he wrestles with the dilemma of whether to stay with his home-town club and accept the frustration of yet another campaign without a major honour, or cash in on the final years of his career with a �40million move this summer.[LNB]He will have no lack of suitors, with Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan and Premier League big spenders Manchester City believed to be interested in a deal.[LNB]Gerrard's discontent at Anfield has been obvious in a season when Benitez has again failed to mount a meaningful campaign for the championship and has struggled even to convince fans that a Champions League place is within Liverpool's reach.[LNB] Feeling the pain: Reports claimed Gerrard clashed with Benitez's assistant, Mauricio Pellegrino, over hamstring strain[LNB]That failure has left the manager open to speculation about his own future, and Gerrard ready to leave the club where he is held in such reverence by the Kop.[LNB]Sources close to City manager Roberto Mancini claimed last night that the Italian believes he can tempt Gerrard from Anfield to Eastlands after the World Cup in South Africa this summer.[LNB]Gerrard, always aware of feelings on Merseyside, could regard a move to another English club as problematic, in which case he could be more receptive to Mourinho's efforts to tempt him to Inter, although the former Chelsea manager has been linked with the Liverpool job should Benitez pay for his team's shortcomings.Spanish giants Real Madrid have also been monitoring Gerrard closely.[LNB]Gerrard's impending departure almost mirrors the situation at Anfield six years ago when he was on the point of making a �20m switch to Chelsea. Then, after manager Gerard Houllier left following a trophy-less season, a disgruntled Gerrard admitted his disappointment at the club's lack of progress, saying: 'For the first time in my career I've thought about the possibility of moving on.' [LNB] Not again: Rafa Benitez can barely believe it as Liverpool concede a lastminute equaliser at Stoke City and are denied a vital Premier League victory[LNB]Gerrard's decision to stay was justified when Liverpool, under Houllier's successor Benitez, won the European Cup in the Spaniard's first season in charge, coming from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.[LNB]Gerrard said afterwards: 'How can I leave after a night like this?'[LNB]But Gerrard almost did leave before suddenly deciding to sign a four-year contract following weeks of negotiations.[LNB]Gerrard's patience with Liverpool's lack of success under Benitez appears to have snapped with Wednesday's 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Anfield by struggling Championship club Reading.[LNB]Reports claimed Gerrard clashed with Benitez's assistant, Mauricio Pellegrino, over the hamstring strain which caused the midfielder's substitution, although Liverpool's manager yesterday denied any altercation. 'There was nothing,' said Benitez.[LNB] Juventus offer Benitez an escape as Guus puts himself in frame for AnfieldTHE FIRING LINE: Liverpool boss tops our table as the next for the chop!Stoke City 1 Liverpool 1: Huth strikes late to compile Rafa Benitez's miseryVIDEO: I'm staying! Under-fire Benitez refuses to call time at Anfield Liverpool new boy Maxi vows to 'put himself on the line' for stuttering Reds [LNB] [LNB]
