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Gerrard: I wish Rodgers had joined 10 years ago

Steven Gerrard will leave Liverpool at the end of the season © Getty Images

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Steven Gerrard believes he would have won "a lot of titles" at Liverpool had manager Brendan Rodgers joined the club 10 years ago.

Liverpool have confirmed that Gerrard is to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old has spent his entire career at Anfield, making his first-team debut in 1998, and has won trophies including the Champions League, UEFA Cup and two FA Cups.

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However, the midfielder, who retired from England duty following this summer's World Cup, has failed to claim the Premier League title, with Liverpool narrowly missing out to Manchester City last year in Rodgers' second season at the club.

"I had an idea it [leaving the club] was going to come at some time - I'm a human, not a robot. I'm not 24. I wish I was 24, I wish I'd met Brendan [Rodgers] when I was 24 because I think I'd be sitting here talking about a lot of titles that we'd won together," Gerrard told Liverpool's official television channel.

"The reality is, Brendan came into this club when I was 32 years of age and it's a shame that relationship didn't start 10 years ago.

"I had an idea the conversation was going to come at some time, but it was a painful conversation to have and that was the key moment - along with other things over the last six to 12 months, but that was the conversation. That was the key one."

He might only have six months left at the Merseyside club, but Gerrard still wants more success.

"I think, where I'm sitting at the moment, realistically, we've still got a chance of finishing in the top four and that's the most important thing for the club, for obvious reasons. That would be a great achievement after the start we've made in the league.

"But from a selfish point of view, it's always a trophy and it's always medals, for me. That's what people remember and that's what the club is all about. It's about success and history. The day you make your debut for this club, the pressure and the responsibility is on your shoulders to keep delivering trophies to add to that wonderful history.

"I've lived with that for so long and I'll live with it for another six months and try my best to add one or two more."

Gerrard also underlined his desire to return to the club in another capacity one day, if the opportunity arises.

"I think that's more in hope [coming back]," he explained. "I'll only come back and serve the club if I feel as if I can help. I'll always be a fan, of course, no matter what happens in the future. But I think that's something I'll have to consider.

"I think when you've been part of a club like this for so long and you've contributed in the way I've tried to, I'd always want that to stay the same in the future. I wouldn't like to come back just to be Steven Gerrard the player and just be around. I'd like to help in whatever capacity that may be.

"If I sit down with the people who are running the club at that time and they see a role for me where I can help the team or help young kids to become players, of course I will consider it because, as you say, it's been such a big part of my life."

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