Sunday 17 May 2015 14:01, UK
Jamie Carragher believes Steven Gerrard should savour his Liverpool memories and not return to the club on loan.
The outgoing Reds skipper bid an emotional farewell after 28 years with the club, but his final game was marred by a spirited Crystal Palace performance as the Eagles ran out 3-1 winners in the Saturday Night Football.
Gerrard embarks on his next venture in MLS with LA Galaxy and Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp believes the Reds icon should protect his legacy by focusing on the future.
“I hope he doesn’t come back on loan,” Carragher said.
“Make a clean break from the football side of it, go away for a couple of years, get out of that Liverpool bubble.
“It will be good mentally to move away, and then come back in some role, but not in a playing capacity.
“Steven Gerrard is a figurehead for this city, not just the football club, and he has had to carry that.
“I don’t think you can replace that [Gerrard]. Man United are still looking for the next Keane, Arsenal are still looking for the next Vieira, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be successful and do well.
“Today we were still waiting for Gerrard to do something that at 34 he is not capable of doing.
“Everyone looked to him. He will not be forgotten.”
Gerrard has already been tipped to make a future return to Anfield in the dugout but Redknapp echoed Carragher's sentiments and warned a move into management at his boyhood club could come at a cost.
“I hope he doesn’t come back as manager here,” Redknapp said. “He is a hero. If he comes back and gets sacked his legacy will be ruined.
“People like Gerrard come along every two generations. They are gifted players. As soon as you see him play you know it.
“He is one of those sort of guys that has time for everyone. What you see is what you get. He wears his heart on his sleeve.”
