• Premier League

Gerrard: I could return to Liverpool on loan

Steven Gerrard admits he could return to Liverpool on loan next season after agreeing an 18-month deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Liverpool captain will move to Major League Soccer at the end of the current Premier League campaign, but, with the season in the United States running from March to December, Gerrard could be available to come back on a short-term loan.

Thierry Henry rejoined Arsenal in similar circumstances during his stay with New York Red Bulls, and Gerrard would "love" to use Melwood as a training base next winter.

"I've not even thought about the possibility of a loan," Gerrard is quoted as saying in the Liverpool Echo.

'Welcome to LA LA land'

NBA star Kobe Bryant is a big Steven Gerrard fan ... apparently © AP

• If Steven Gerrard wasn't feeling the love already from his new home after announcing he will move to the Los Angeles Galaxy, he will be now after NBA star Kobe Bryant gave him the warmest of welcomes.
• The LA Lakers legend recorded a message for the Liverpool captain and can't wait to see him in Major League Soccer when he joins up in July.
• "What can I say? Welcome to LA LA land," Bryant said.
• "I'm looking forward to getting out there and watching you do your thing. I've been a fan of yours for a long, long time."

"I've not had that conversation with anyone. I can't rule it out, but I can't confirm it would happen either.

"The way the season works in the MLS there's a break around winter time. What I can say is that I'd love to be able to come back and train with the lads to keep my fitness levels up.

"Whether that could lead to playing for the club again I don't know. That wouldn't be my decision. You'd have to ask others that question."

However, Galaxy president Chris Klein says the idea of loaning Gerrard to a European club during the MLS off-season has "never been discussed".

"Gerrard's focus will be LA Galaxy," Klein told the BBC.

Gerrard has said he would have signed a new Liverpool contract if one had been put on the table last summer, but was not offered one until November.

He is now set to earn a basic salary of around $6 million (£4m) a year at the Galaxy, roughly half of what he is paid at Anfield, although he will be able to increase that figure through image rights and sponsorship.

However, Gerrard insists he is not joining the California club for a holiday.

"I think it is time for a fresh challenge in my life," Gerrard told LAgalaxy.com. "At this stage of my career I think the timing is right to move on, but I still feel like a player.

"I've watched a lot of their games and I still know I can perform well for the next couple of years, so I want to go into a set-up with a winning mentality with a team that is used to winning.

"I am not going over there for a holiday or to enjoy myself. I am going there to win; if I win and play well, then my life becomes enjoyable."

The 34-year-old, who retired from international duty with England in the summer, decided to end his 25-year Anfield career in part due to being told by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers that he would have to accept a lesser role.

Steven Gerrard scored twice for Liverpool in their 2-1 FA Cup win at AFC Wimbledon © Getty Images

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He will arrive at the Galaxy in July when his Liverpool contract expires, with head coach Bruce Arena revealing he intends to play Gerrard as often as he can.

In the past two seasons at Liverpool, Gerrard has been largely deployed by Rodgers as a holding midfielder, but Arena is set to unleash him further up the pitch.

"I will manage his minutes, I'm going to try and get him on the field as much as possible," Arena said in a conference call.

"My best guess is that we will play him closer to a forward than towards our centre-backs. He's a player with obviously very good attacking qualities and we want to get him pushed as close to goal as we can, when we can.

"I think we can accommodate that through a variety of positions. It'll take a little bit of time but we'll get it figured out by the time Stevie arrives."

Meanwhile, former Liverpool defender and ESPN pundit Steve Nicol, a former MLS head coach, believes Gerrard's capture is another coup for the American league.

"It is on a par with Thierry Henry and David Beckham," Nicol told the BBC. "Gerrard is a world superstar, it can't be any better for the league.

"He is in a position where his football is world-class. His touch, vision and control and what he will do for the football team is incredible."

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