Rio Ferdinand has blasted Liverpool for a lack of loyalty towards Steven Gerrard at the end of his playing career.
Gerrard, a boyhood Reds fan, joined the club at the age of nine and made 710 appearances over a 17-year professional career at Anfield - only Ian Callaghan and Jamie Carragher have made more.
Things could have been very different though. The midfielder came close to joining Chelsea in the summer of 2005, having told Liverpool he wanted to leave following intense interest from the Blues.
But of course that move never happened as Gerrard ended up signing a new contract on Merseyside and became a club legend.
Speaking on his FIVE podcast, Ferdinand criticised Liverpool for not repaying that loyalty a decade down the line.
'Let's look at the Steven Gerrard case, he's been loyal to them,' the former defender said. 'He had obscene offers probably from Chelsea, they courted him, they tried every which way they could through players, and what not trying to get him and unsettle him.
'He became unsettled, flirted with the idea a little bit, but actually, loyalty probably made him stay at Liverpool. Whatever happened, he was courted by Chelsea. He decides to stay, and then he gets towards the end of his career and the club don't want to give him a new deal.'
Gerrard eventually left Liverpool to join MLS side LA Galaxy in 2015, after a new contract at Liverpool was not forthcoming.
The midfielder was 34 at the time and had retired from international duty with England to concentrate on his club career. But the Reds were looking to the future under Brendan Rodgers and planned to reduce Gerrard's game time, which convinced him to move away.
He would spend just one season in the United States before retiring and starting his coaching career in Liverpool's academy.
But Ferdinand believes that the Reds should have kept Gerrard around and helped him to start his transition to coaching while he was still a player.
'Bearing in mind [he's] arguably the club's best-ever player, been apart of iconic moments at the football club and would have had so much to offer young players staying there from a culture, a mentality and somebody they can look at and identify as a local lad, but they let him go to LA Galaxy,' Ferdinand continued.
'There was the ability for him to stay there as a player-coach and groom him into being a coach in the system that they've got or a manager, but they chose to do something totally different and allowed him to go to LA Galaxy.
'So when you talk about loyalty maybe if the club were being shown an element of loyalty there they might have gone, you know what, because of that loyalty he's showing us, we're going to give him a bit back at the end of his career.'
maturidikxith
2
how about your club captian now rio (olympic) ferdinan[Crylaugh]
Andy_Mac
0
Just five seasons. Think about how make good family with those who help your club for it achievement. United is big family and care about those who have made the club history even we still honor the dead and their lovely family.
It's very nice to honour your players no doubt but football decisions should not be based on sentiment. There is a time and place for sentiment but you can't let it cloud football decisions which must be ruthless. Did Liverpool really need to groom Gerrard into a player coach? No they didn't. They had Klopp and they needed a rebuild. They made the wise decision of letting Klopp take over and Gerrard moved abroad to gain experience from a playing level as well as managerial level.
Luzdlmorz
0
So what happened to Ryan Giggs after being groomed into a player/coach? How is his managerial career going along? It's only Man Utd who believe in this loyalty BS. You can't afford to be sentimental in this line of business. It's a result based business. Man Utd are now trophyless for 5 seasons because they operate purely on sentiment. They really don't have a plan. Was the Cristiano Ronaldo signing really necessary in the summer? Clearly not. The whole world knew that Man Utd needed a CDM because it was quite evident that Fred and McTominay weren't good enough in that role. And the defence looked shaky near the end of the previous season (2020/21). But they never prioritised on those key positions. Sentiment is the reason why Man Utd have extended de Gea's contract. He isn't consistent enough in the long-term but apparently Man Utd fans who hype this guy up into oblivion have amnesia. He was very poor in the previous 2 seasons (2019/20 & 2020/21). The guy's distribution is poor and his ability to claim crosses isn't so good. Anyone with eyes can see that but not the sentimental club Manchester United. Rio Ferdinand should consider all these things before he has a pop at other clubs for being realistic and ruthless.
Do you even have people you can called legends.
Luzdlmorz
0
So what happened to Ryan Giggs after being groomed into a player/coach? How is his managerial career going along? It's only Man Utd who believe in this loyalty BS. You can't afford to be sentimental in this line of business. It's a result based business. Man Utd are now trophyless for 5 seasons because they operate purely on sentiment. They really don't have a plan. Was the Cristiano Ronaldo signing really necessary in the summer? Clearly not. The whole world knew that Man Utd needed a CDM because it was quite evident that Fred and McTominay weren't good enough in that role. And the defence looked shaky near the end of the previous season (2020/21). But they never prioritised on those key positions. Sentiment is the reason why Man Utd have extended de Gea's contract. He isn't consistent enough in the long-term but apparently Man Utd fans who hype this guy up into oblivion have amnesia. He was very poor in the previous 2 seasons (2019/20 & 2020/21). The guy's distribution is poor and his ability to claim crosses isn't so good. Anyone with eyes can see that but not the sentimental club Manchester United. Rio Ferdinand should consider all these things before he has a pop at other clubs for being realistic and ruthless.
Just five seasons. Think about how make good family with those who help your club for it achievement. United is big family and care about those who have made the club history even we still honor the dead and their lovely family.
Jecdioruy
0
So what happened to Ryan Giggs after being groomed into a player/coach? How is his managerial career going along? It's only Man Utd who believe in this loyalty BS. You can't afford to be sentimental in this line of business. It's a result based business. Man Utd are now trophyless for 5 seasons because they operate purely on sentiment. They really don't have a plan. Was the Cristiano Ronaldo signing really necessary in the summer? Clearly not. The whole world knew that Man Utd needed a CDM because it was quite evident that Fred and McTominay weren't good enough in that role. And the defence looked shaky near the end of the previous season (2020/21). But they never prioritised on those key positions. Sentiment is the reason why Man Utd have extended de Gea's contract. He isn't consistent enough in the long-term but apparently Man Utd fans who hype this guy up into oblivion have amnesia. He was very poor in the previous 2 seasons (2019/20 & 2020/21). The guy's distribution is poor and his ability to claim crosses isn't so good. Anyone with eyes can see that but not the sentimental club Manchester United. Rio Ferdinand should consider all these things before he has a pop at other clubs for being realistic and ruthless.
U just deh talk story Wasted effort 😂🤣
Denniskonye1
0
the game has changed RIO
GodCool
2
Blame should be on Brendan Rodgers for forcing Gerrard out.
ikJames1988
0
the Steven Gerrard show liverpool loyalty buy letting Aston villa lost that marche with city, knowing how important that game was important for liverpool, but he sold the marche as an England man he is,someone that betrayed liverpool loyalty to him, liverpool make him what he became today,instead of to pay them back by beating city, then he sold the marche because of 15 million
why did Gerrard take off Filip coutinho from that city marche
blueLion01
1
just take a look at Ferdinand..his mouth is so Long and wide.
Sokcdpst
0
the Steven Gerrard show liverpool loyalty buy letting Aston villa lost that marche with city, knowing how important that game was important for liverpool, but he sold the marche as an England man he is,someone that betrayed liverpool loyalty to him, liverpool make him what he became today,instead of to pay them back by beating city, then he sold the marche because of 15 million
only a lunatic Liverpool fan will blame Villa for losing to City when in 30yrs thy have only won epl trophy once ...
my-blood-is-red
3
Will you keep quiet 🤐🙄 what concern you with our beloved legend, we love and respect him for who he his.
hicamnorsu
0
u are not serious
Andy_Mac
0
This article is not abt United face your own problem.
Well this article is about Rio Ferdinand talking about Liverpool. And I have to bring up his former club because he likes to talk about other clubs and yet cannot apply the same logic to his own
haddikmops
1
the Steven Gerrard show liverpool loyalty buy letting Aston villa lost that marche with city, knowing how important that game was important for liverpool, but he sold the marche as an England man he is,someone that betrayed liverpool loyalty to him, liverpool make him what he became today,instead of to pay them back by beating city, then he sold the marche because of 15 million
Why didn’t Liverpool win the city themselves if it was easy
Go223
2
the one man United showed you what are using it for? is it not to attack players
Kunlespur2
0
So what happened to Ryan Giggs after being groomed into a player/coach? How is his managerial career going along? It's only Man Utd who believe in this loyalty BS. You can't afford to be sentimental in this line of business. It's a result based business. Man Utd are now trophyless for 5 seasons because they operate purely on sentiment. They really don't have a plan. Was the Cristiano Ronaldo signing really necessary in the summer? Clearly not. The whole world knew that Man Utd needed a CDM because it was quite evident that Fred and McTominay weren't good enough in that role. And the defence looked shaky near the end of the previous season (2020/21). But they never prioritised on those key positions. Sentiment is the reason why Man Utd have extended de Gea's contract. He isn't consistent enough in the long-term but apparently Man Utd fans who hype this guy up into oblivion have amnesia. He was very poor in the previous 2 seasons (2019/20 & 2020/21). The guy's distribution is poor and his ability to claim crosses isn't so good. Anyone with eyes can see that but not the sentimental club Manchester United. Rio Ferdinand should consider all these things before he has a pop at other clubs for being realistic and ruthless.
This article is not abt United face your own problem.
Taeblmnopr
2
Ferdinand is now special adviser on old and new players.
Andy_Mac
5
So what happened to Ryan Giggs after being groomed into a player/coach? How is his managerial career going along? It's only Man Utd who believe in this loyalty BS. You can't afford to be sentimental in this line of business. It's a result based business. Man Utd are now trophyless for 5 seasons because they operate purely on sentiment. They really don't have a plan. Was the Cristiano Ronaldo signing really necessary in the summer? Clearly not. The whole world knew that Man Utd needed a CDM because it was quite evident that Fred and McTominay weren't good enough in that role. And the defence looked shaky near the end of the previous season (2020/21). But they never prioritised on those key positions. Sentiment is the reason why Man Utd have extended de Gea's contract. He isn't consistent enough in the long-term but apparently Man Utd fans who hype this guy up into oblivion have amnesia. He was very poor in the previous 2 seasons (2019/20 & 2020/21). The guy's distribution is poor and his ability to claim crosses isn't so good. Anyone with eyes can see that but not the sentimental club Manchester United. Rio Ferdinand should consider all these things before he has a pop at other clubs for being realistic and ruthless.
butux2020
0
the Steven Gerrard show liverpool loyalty buy letting Aston villa lost that marche with city, knowing how important that game was important for liverpool, but he sold the marche as an England man he is,someone that betrayed liverpool loyalty to him, liverpool make him what he became today,instead of to pay them back by beating city, then he sold the marche because of 15 million
when you have a chance why can't u. do that. silly excuse.
ikJames1988
0
the Steven Gerrard show liverpool loyalty buy letting Aston villa lost that marche with city, knowing how important that game was important for liverpool, but he sold the marche as an England man he is,someone that betrayed liverpool loyalty to him, liverpool make him what he became today,instead of to pay them back by beating city, then he sold the marche because of 15 million
Torres94
0
And what happened to Lingard at Manchester
Hitbclno
0
and how did man united show loyalty to WR
lu30
0
honestly!! but that's what he has to say in order to remain in the news he said the same about Chelsea when lampard was sucked but Rio is harsh and disappointing sometimes
rhino6465
0
stevei said on some interview that it would have been unbearable for him to be in epl right after the "SLIP"
Shauny300
1
this football loyalty is dead let players, coaches & clubs do what they want without no problem because no matter what football is a business & it will remain a business because money is involve with that being said just watch the game there's no loyalty in this
Amine_Ermac
1
I get but I don’t want to get it. This is why I don’t like players affirming loyalty to teams because teams will only be loyal to players as far as their service to the team goes. As soon your return is diminishing and the team can find someone to do a better job, starting packing your bags mentally. The great Philip Lahm said: “Make the harder decision before it imposes itself on you at a time where you don’t have no choice but to accept it.”
Willhen
0
Ferdinand is talking nonsense again
Louabeyz
4
What about Ferdinand ? Man United support you to end your career as pundits.
rufulobr
2
Just another bitter EX United player nothing but sore comments for Liverpool. Keep crying you lots
Fudcimtuz
1
be patient. times will come. Many Liverpool supporters shares similar to what I am talking. we love Gerald success take over klopp one day.
kadoosh
0
what is the problem..?🤷🏻
pouacmnptz
0
It’s the truth
Rimshadzaid
1
same thing to salah
kruz8080
1
Cuz it wasn't the end and wasn't the beginning, but was perhaps the end of the Beginning
limengoeng
2
Please don't stir up hatred..