Steven Gerrard right to reject Chelsea, says Jamie Carragher
Saturday 16 May 2015 08:53, UK
Jamie Carragher thinks Steven Gerrard made the right decision to turn down a move to Chelsea and remain with Liverpool throughout his Premier League career.
Gerrard is set for an emotional farewell this Saturday when he plays his final top-flight match at Anfield - against Crystal Palace, live on Sky Sports - before joining MLS side LA Galaxy.
The 34-year-old has spent 17 years with Liverpool and rejected moves to Chelsea and Real Madrid to remain with the club.
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It has been suggested that Gerrard's loyalty led to him being an underachiever at club level but Carragher, who played alongside Gerrard for most his career, thinks the midfielder made the right decision not to leave his boyhood club.
“He's a Liverpool boy, supporter, born and bred,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “He would have won more trophies, no doubt, Chelsea being very successful over the years. But for a local lad, at Liverpool, any trophy he would have won at Chelsea would never have meant the same.
“I think the respect he gets now around the world for sticking at one club is special. It was the right decision, without a doubt. He made a great decision.”
While Gerrard plumping to stay with Liverpool meant he never won the Premier League, he was instrumental in the Reds' famous Champions League final win over AC Milan in 2005.
Carragher believes that performance in Istanbul, when Liverpool came back from 3-0 down to win on penalties, was Gerrard's finest moment in a Liverpool shirt.
"For him and what he did, that first headed goal and the rallying cry to get the boys and the fans going and making everyone believe," he said.
“When things weren't going well he made people believe, because you think: 'We've got Steven Gerrard, something can happen.' He will always produce something. That's Steven Gerrard, having big moments, in big games, at big times. It's certainly the best way to sum him up.”
Gerrard will play his final game for Liverpool on May 24 at Stoke, but Carragher would not be surprised to see his former team-mate return to Anfield in the future in a managerial role.
“Why not? The leadership qualities he's got on the pitch, you think 'why can't he transfer that off the pitch?',” he commented. “It doesn't always happen... just because you're a great player doesn't mean you become a great manager, but he'd instantly get respect from players.
“He does have an aura, a presence because of what he has done, the way he carries himself, but that would be down to him. If he became a manager one day, hopefully it would be at the place he loves the most."
The 34-year-old will leave Liverpool having made more than 700 appearances for the club and scored more goals than Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Kenny Dalglish.
And although Carragher believes he could have stayed for longer, he thinks he will be remembered as one of the best players to have graced the Premier League.
He will always produce something. That's Steven Gerrard, having big moments, in big games, at big times. It's certainly the best way to sum him up.
"I think he is up there. If we were making a list of the top 10, I think he'd be in that, no doubt," he said. "When you're talking about midfield players I think he'd be right up there, even No 1.
"You think of (Roy) Keane, Stevie, (Patrick) Vieira, (Paul) Scholes and (Frank) Lampard. Those five midfield players we'd all have an argument as to where they'd all go. But he's a Premier League great no doubt.
“It's sad that it has come to this where he is actually moving on to pastures new if you like. I'd have liked to have seen him stay at the club, but he's had a great innings and there's not much more he can do really. From a selfish point I'd have like to see him put the red shirt on for another year or two.”
Watch Sky Sports News HQ for more tributes to Steven Gerrard and see an extended interview with the man himself On Demand, via Sky Go or via the Sky Sports iPad app.
See Gerrard’s final Anfield match – against Crystal Palace – live on Saturday Night Football, with coverage from 5pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.
