Steven Gerrard England future: Brendan Rodgers expects his captain to decide on international future after the World Cup
Gerrard could call time on his England career but new deeper midfield role might convince him otherwise
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects Steven Gerrard to make a decision about his England future after the World Cup.
Gerrard, who has 109 caps for his country, will turn 34 on 30 May and could call time on his England career with his last action of captaining his national side at the show piece tournament in Brazil.
With the Euro 2016 qualification campaign set to get underway in September, Gerrard and England will want to get things sorted well before then but first both must concentrate on the World Cup.
Despite nearing his mid-30s, Gerrard, under the guidance of Rodgers, as flourished in a new deeper midfield role this season and this could help prolong his career for both club and country.
Rodgers said: "He's coped really well with balancing both (club and international commitments). That will be a decision purely for him.
"He keeps himself fit – every player at Liverpool has an individual plan – but what will be will be after the World Cup.
"He goes there in great form, and I am sure he will perform really well. If he ever asked my advice, I will always be there to give my opinion.
"But there will be no decision made now, and we will see what happens after the World Cup."
Rodgers was appointed Liverpool boss in June 2012 but it was only this season that he decided to deploy Gerrard in a more defensive role and has reaped the rewards with the midfielder receiving rave reviews for his season’s work.
The Liverpool boss added: "I sat with Steven when I first came in, two years ago. And I said that this was my vision for him prolonging his career. I felt he had the real quality to play in that role.
"After that, it was only about timing really. It was about when we put him in that position. And probably halfway through the season, once I had the players fit that could move and work around him, we changed him and from then he's been outstanding.
"Steven's a really intelligent player. He's played really as a more attacking player all his life but he's dropped back into that role.
"It's still a playmaking position, and he's started off a number of our attacks from there. And for him to finish the season like he did was incredible.
"He goes into the World Cup in great form, and he will be strong next year as well I am sure."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments