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Steven Gerrard likely to retire in 2016, plans to move into coaching

Steven Gerrard of Liverpool applauds the fans as he walks a lap of honour after his final game at Anfield
Image: Steven Gerrard left Liverpool in 2015 to move to LA Galaxy

Steven Gerrard is likely to retire in 2016 and plans to quickly move into coaching, hinting at a future with Liverpool.

Gerrard left Anfield last year, moving to Major League Soccer and the LA Galaxy, but has been back on Merseyside during the MLS close season, taking part in Jurgen Klopp's training sessions.

And the former England captain says 2016 will likely see the end of his playing career, telling the Daily Telegraph: "I'm not 100 per cent sure but I think it will probably be my last year as a player.

LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard celebrates
Image: Gerrard is likely to play one more season in MLS

"I have had a chat with Klopp. I haven't had an offer as such, but the club have let me know they are keen for me to come back but there hasn't been a conversation where they have said, 'We want you to do this, we want you to do that'.

"They have welcomed me back in. I am always going to be biased towards Liverpool and the FA and basically when I am back home I am going to carry on with my punditry work and try and move around clubs and gain more experience, going to watch managers and learning more. 

Steven Gerrard displays his passing skills in a Liverpool training session at Melwood on Monday
Image: Gerrard has spent time training with Liverpool during the MLS off-season

"I am basically available from November, December 2016. Everyone in the football world will know I am available and hopefully I will be 75 per cent into my coaching badges."

Gerrard admitted he had wasted time as a player in not working towards his badges and has urged the FA to do more to engage its most experienced players in order to keep them in the game.

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Steven Gerrard of England in action during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between England and Italy at Arena Amazonia
Image: Gerrard regrets not working towards his coaching badges earlier

"I have regrets I didn't start my coaching badges at 21-22," he said. "All that time wasted in hotels as an England player when I've been bored and was watching The Office and The Sopranos. I wish I'd done my CBA [coaching] licence then so I'd be doing my pro-licence now. 

"I know many players get to the end of their careers, get handed a thick C licence pack and say, 'Nah, I'm not doing that'. That's 70-80 caps and 600 career appearances and he is just going 'nah'. He could have had it done."

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