Steven Gerrard says he needed to leave Liverpool for MLS to play games

Steven Gerrard decided to leave Liverpool for the MLS because appearing as a substitute was not as exciting as starting for Liverpool.

Gerrard explained the buzz changed this season with him being restricted to a substitute role.

He retired from England international duty last July in order to extend his lifespan at club level but early in the season, he discovered he would no longer be a regular starter under manager Brendan Rodgers.

That proved to be a major factor in him not signing a contract extension and opting to sign for Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the campaign.

"I'm going to come on as a sub and the buzz changes," said Gerrard, who will celebrate his 35th birthday at the end of this month.

"For me, I go to work on a Monday morning and I look forward to Saturday, to prepare to go to battle with some wonderful people - with good mates – and that's my buzz.

"When a manager gets you into the office and says that's going to change and it's going to become more limited - that's when you make your decision.

"It's not a selfish thing; coming on as a sub's just not the same buzz so things have changed this year."

Gerrard, who has carried the burden of leading Liverpool over the last decade, recently spoke of how he is looking forward to not having as much pressure on his shoulders in Major League Soccer.

"It lets you give a little back to your family," he added.

"You step out of the city, you breathe for a bit, you enjoy your kids and you go to a place where you are going to enjoy it. I think the league's going to be good, I can still start games and I can still enjoy it."

Watch Liverpool v Crystal Palace from 5pm on Saturday on Sky Sports 1 HD

Steven Gerrard was at a Liverpool legends' gala awards dinner helping to raise money for local charities - including the Oppo Foundation which supports ex-military personnel.

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Aspas: Sevilla deal a formality

Iago Aspas (c): Joined Sevilla permanently

Sevilla's on-loan Liverpool forward Iago Aspas has confirmed his move back to Spain will be made permanent this summer.

After one disappointing campaign at Anfield, playing a back-up role behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge and scoring just one goal, the player was sent out on loan.

Aspas has scored twice in 15 league matches this season but claims Sevilla will go through with the transfer.

"I came here on a loan deal with an obligatory option to buy," the former Celta Vigo player told ESPNFC.

"I am a Sevilla player for next season. I will sit down and talk to the club in the coming days, or when the season ends, but it is an open secret that everyone knew.

"The transfer [fee] is to be paid this summer. I am very happy at Sevilla, they received me with open arms, and I hope to keep paying them back for many years.

"I did not have the playing time (with Liverpool) that I wanted which is why I made the move here to Sevilla.

"I am going to stay here for some years at Sevilla but I do have unfinished business as I felt I could bring much more things to the team, if I had been given more playing time.

"I think that if I'd been at Liverpool this year I would have played a lot more games, with Sturridge's injury and Suarez not being there."

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Liverpool's Champions League failure will see Raheem Sterling quit, says Phil Thompson

Raheem Sterling: In talks over new Liverpool deal

Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson believes Brendan Rodgers’ side’s failure to qualify for the Champions League will see Raheem Sterling quit Anfield this summer.

Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at champions Chelsea all but ended their chances of qualification for next season’s Champions League and Thompson believes failure to qualify will prompt Sterling to leave.

And he insists he doesn’t see the 20-year-old’s future as a striker no matter where he ends up.

He told Sky Sports: “I think it will be very difficult for him to stay at Liverpool now. He’s shown all the signs that he’s ready and prepared to leave the club.

“But if he was to stay I would like to think his role will be on the flanks – I don’t think Liverpool can even contemplate him being their main striker next season, because he’s not a natural goalscorer.

“Liverpool need somebody who’s going to get you at least 15 league goals and maybe 25 overall – Raheem Sterling is not going to get you that.

“He’s done well for the team – he’s helped them out up front this season, but I think everyone can see that he’s not quite strong enough for it.

“So, no matter where he is next season, I think his best role is out wide rather than through the middle.”

Meanwhile, Thompson believes the difference in squad depth between Liverpool and champions Chelsea was clearly evident during Sunday’s draw at Stamford Bridge.

The Reds needed to win in order to cling on to their hopes of finishing in the top four in the Premier League, but they could only manage a point.

Although Liverpool were competitive throughout the game, the gap between the pair remains 22 points, and Thommo highlighted Rodgers’ substitutions when trying to win the game.

He said: “Liverpool had Jerome Sinclair coming off the bench and also Jordon Ibe - who I think can be just as good as Raheem Sterling in that wide role - but it still showed the gulf in quality between the squads.

“Both of those lads are under 20, yet Chelsea had Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic and Juan Cuadrado coming on for them – three established internationals.

“I think part of the substitutions was maybe Brendan saying ‘look, this is all I’ve got to work with here’, although it is nice to have youngsters coming through the ranks at the club again.

“But, at the end of the day, it’s two young lads coming off the bench at Stamford Bridge, the home of the champions, and it was never going to be enough to beat them.

“The experience that Chelsea had on their bench compared to ours highlights the big difference between the two squads.”

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