Transfer news: Steven Gerrard says he turned down move to Bayern Munich to stay at Liverpool - and wants Luis Suarez to do the same
Liverpool captain could have joined Champions League winners last season, but chose to remain at Anfield because of the value of the club's tradition
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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed how he turned down a move to Champions League winners Bayern Munich last year, and hopes that Luis Suarez will follow suit in rejecting a move away from Anfield.
Although Gerrard didn’t confirm the club, it is known to be the Bundesliga champions, and he has also turned down the likes of Chelsea Real Madrid and Inter Milan throughout his career.
He says that is Suarez leaves, he is concerned that Liverpool will continue to miss out on the Champions League – something he says the club need to act on and return to where they belong.
“I had a chance to move last year to a Champions League club. There was no temptation,” said Gerrard.
“I have been through that enough before. That is the message for Luis. I am hoping from a biased point of view that he gives us another year and shows us the form he did last season.
“Maybe it will be time for him to go next year or the year after. I don’t think it is the right time for him to go just yet.
“A traditional club like Liverpool still has a value, that’s the reason why I have stuck around for so long. It is more important to win a couple of trophies and achieve something that is a lot more difficult than go down the easy road and move to a club where it becomes easier.”
Gerrard speaks out in fear that if the Reds don’t return to Europe’s elite competition this year, the gap between the top clubs in England and Liverpool will become too big to bridge.
“That is my main worry, yes, and I think that is the main worry of every Liverpool fan,” said the England captain, whose testimonial against Olympiacos today will celebrate a long and established career for the one-club 33-year-old.
“It is no different for me being a player. The only thing that may be different is that I can do something about it on the pitch. I am sure all proper, genuine Liverpool fans have the same worries and concerns that it becomes permanent and we can’t bridge that gap.
“But we have to keep fighting and I believe, I have confidence from the last six months of last season, that we can prove people wrong and break into it. Certain things have to happen to help us do that and one of those is the main subject on everyone’s lips: Luis Suárez.
“You lose him, you take steps backwards to try and achieve top four. If you keep him and add to him it gives you an awful lot better chance.
“The club has a responsibility to try and attract top players to make all our jobs easier but I know that it is happening and they are trying their best to do that. There is not much they can do but keep trying and what you have to accept is there are other big clubs out there as well who have a lot more money and sometimes there is nothing you can do.”
Gerrard will play alongside his former team-mates Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler, who have both agreed to take part in the testimonial that celebrates 15 year career as a Liverpool player.
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