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Steven Gerrard insists his strong bond with Liverpool FC will never be broken as he insisted: “This club has helped me achieve my dreams.”

The Reds captain, who will bring the curtain down on 26 years of loyal service when his contract expires this summer, says he feels blessed to have enjoyed such a glittering career.

In an extensive interview with the ECHO, Gerrard dismissed suggestions that he felt let down over the Reds’ attempts to retain his services beyond the current campaign.

The 34-year-old midfielder, who has announced he will move to America to play Major League Soccer, says with his game-time at Anfield being reduced it was simply the right time to pursue a new challenge.

Gerrard revealed he snubbed approaches from a host of top European clubs, including Premier League sides, before opting for the States.

“It’s been an emotional few days for my family and myself since I made the announcement and I think it’s been the same for a lot of the supporters,” Gerrard told the ECHO.

“It’s been difficult but I needed to snap out of it quickly because there are important games to be played. There is still a lot to be achieved this season.”

The Decision

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Gerrard went public with the news of his impending exit last Friday after making the toughest decision of his life.

“It was around a week before that I made my mind up,” he said.

“I’d done a lot of thinking and a lot of analysing. I wanted Brendan to be the first to know. I thought about the team and when would be the best time to announce it.

“After I told him we decided to sit tight until after the Leicester game on New Year’s Day. I didn’t want to wait too long.

“I knew that once January arrived and I was free to talk to foreign clubs the speculation would increase. The manager would have been facing questions about my future every few days and I didn’t think that was fair.”

Gerrard revealed it was a conversation with Rodgers a month earlier which ultimately proved crucial in his decision to depart.

It came around the same time in late November when the club offered him a 12-month contract extension.

Rodgers informed the talismanic midfielder that he would no longer be an automatic selection.

The prospect of becoming a bit-part player simply didn’t appeal to such a dominant figure who has been Liverpool’s driving force for the best part of two decades.

“I’ve got to be honest, that chat with Brendan came earlier than I was expecting,” he said.

“It was about a month before that he first mentioned to me about managing my game time. We had another chat on the subject recently – 10 days to two weeks ago.

“It was tough but I understood. It’s been very amicable. Everyone knows how much I rate Brendan. Our relationship is very good.

“There hasn’t been a cross word between us. Brendan has been fantastic for me. My only regret is that I didn’t get to work with him at a younger age.

“There is no finger pointing from me towards the manager or anyone else at the club."

I've never wanted to be a squad player

“From a professional point of view, everyone knows what I’m like and what I want.

“Since I was 16, 17 years of age, the moment I come into work on a Monday morning my preparations begin to play 90 minutes the following weekend.

“That’s the buzz. I’ve always worked hard all week to prepare and make sure my performance is right come the weekend.

“When it gets to the stage where you don’t know if you’re going to be starting or not it becomes different.

“I’ve never wanted to be a squad player. If I was missing games now, I’d be sitting out even more next season. I knew it would get worse and worse as time went on.”

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Gerrard admits if Liverpool had offered him a new contract last summer he would have put pen to paper as at that stage he didn’t know his role would soon be reduced.

He had just ended his 114-cap England career to extend his club career. Instead it was November before there was an extension on the table.

“Yes, if a contract had been put in front of me in pre-season I would have signed it,” he said.

“I’d just retired from England to concentrate all my efforts on Liverpool. I didn’t want my club games to be tailored.

“My injury record had been fantastic for the past two and a half years and I had a great season from a personal point of view last season.

“It’s all ifs, buts and hindsight now. That period between the summer and the end of November gave me thinking time.

“There’s no blame and I’m not angry about it. There are other people in the squad and the club had other things to worry about.

“Liverpool Football Club have been unbelievable for me since I was eight years old. This club has helped me fulfil my dreams over and over again.

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“The memories and experiences I’ve had over the past 26 years I wouldn’t swap for anything in the world.

“I’m a very lucky boy and I am also proud of what I’ve given back – the sacrifices, the dedication and the loyalty.

“I enjoy a very strong relationship with Liverpool Football Club and I don’t see that coming to an end. I hope to serve the club again one day.”

Gerrard, whose classy double in Monday’s FA Cup win over AFC Wimbledon took his tally for the campaign to nine goals, insists Liverpool’s struggles during the first half of this season played no part in his decision.

“It’s got nothing to do with how results have been,” he said.

“That’s not the type I am. If things aren’t going so well, I’d rather stay and help to put things right. I think I’ve shown that over the years.

“It simply came down to the fact that the idea of becoming a squad player didn’t excite me or motivate me.

“People can have their own opinion on that. But it would have been too difficult for me having been used to starting every game.

“I didn’t want to become a bit-part player. Coming off the bench here and there.

“The buzz for me is playing, contributing and helping the team. When you don’t know if you’re going to be sat in the stands or on the bench it becomes a bit different.”

It’s not easy being me at times

There were also off-field considerations. After spending his entire life in the goldfish bowl of his home city, Huyton-born Gerrard decided his whole family would benefit from some time away.

“It’s not just on the pitch in football but what you do off it as well,” he said.

“I think it will be good for me to come out of the city for a little while.

“Liverpool is my home and I love the city. But it’s not easy being me at times.

“Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t swap it for anything in the world because I’ve fulfilled my dreams. I’m not complaining about it but it’s one of the things I’ve gone over.

“Being a Liverpool player and living in the city, there are some cons that come with it.

“It can be difficult to come out of the house – to go to the coffee shop, go out for a meal, take the kids to the park or do the school run. The little things. That can be tough at times.

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“Then there are the Steven Gerrard rumours – the bits and bobs you have to deal with.

“It will be nice to try something different - a new country, a new culture. To take the kids away so they can experience something new.

“It will be nice to be able to walk out the door without being recognised.”

Playing wise, there will be a weight lifted from his broad shoulders.

He has carried the hopes and dreams of Kopites for so long – Liverpool have always looked to Gerrard to provide the inspiration.

“I’ve never seen that as a burden,” he added.

“There’s been huge pressure and responsibility on me but I’ve always loved and embraced that.

“It’s been a massive honour to be captain of this club for so long and it will be right to the end.

“I’ll be a Liverpool fan to the day I die. I’ve lived my dreams."

GERRARD: I've snubbed Premier League rivals

TOMORROW: Why I want one last glorious chapter in my Reds' career and why coaching is not for me - yet!