Friday 2 January 2015 17:40, UK
Steven Gerrard is the "last of a dying breed" of local lads graduating into Liverpool's first team, according to Phil Thompson.
Gerrard is set to call time on his 17-year career at his boyhood club at the end of the season.
Sky Sports pundit Thompson likened Gerrard’s departure to that of Jamie Carragher in 2013, claiming the exit of a player who rivals Kenny Dalglish in the list of all-time Liverpool greats will leave a huge void both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
“Carragher’s retirement was a big loss because of his impact in the dressing room and him being a local lad,” Thompson told the Morning View.
Steven is the last of a dying breed. He is first in line behind Kenny Dalglish in the list of Liverpool’s greatest players. He has had a wonderful life and career at Anfield, he’s been absolutely terrific and he has done everybody proud.
“Both he and Steven have carried the banner of local lads coming through the Liverpool side and we always like to see somebody like that.
“Steven announcing his retirement makes him the last of a dying breed for Liverpool and now there will be a massive hole to fill. Not having him in the dressing room before games or at training every day will be huge loss.
“At Liverpool we need star quality, we need that sprinkling of star dust all the time and we’ve had it with great players such as Gerrard.
“He is first in line behind Kenny Dalglish in the list of Liverpool’s greatest players. There has been some wonderful players who have played for Liverpool, so that is a great accolade.
“It’s very sad to see one of the great players realising he had has to hang up his boots, but what a wonderful life and career he has had at Liverpool. He has been absolutely terrific and he has done everybody at the club proud.”
Despite this, Thompson believes the timing of Gerrard’s announcement was premature, suggesting he still had plenty to offer on the pitch.
He also questioned whether the club had done all they could to keep their captain at Anfield in a coaching capacity, with a view to him taking charge of the club in the future.
“The timing was strange, coming home after yesterday’s game with Leicester," Thompson added. "Social media was rife with strong links saying Gerrard was leaving the club for America.
“Steven didn’t want to lie and wanted to make the decision now to let everybody know and I think he’s very wise for doing that because you can’t hide anything these days.
“I think Liverpool could have done more to keep him at the club, but we are yet to find out. There is nothing in the statement to suggest he was made a great offer or that there was anything for him after he finishes playing.
“Maybe he feels his legs couldn’t continue at Premier League level and maybe he could have a swansong in America. But I would love him to stay at Liverpool because I fell he still has a little bit to offer.
“He could start learning from Brendan [Rodgers], who is a very good coach, and he could have been on the backroom staff, before seeing him filtered into the managerial role in a few years’ time.
“To me that would have been ideal. Steven obviously doesn’t think that is the way forward for him and you have to honour what he thinks because has to make that big decision himself.”
