Michael Owen has opened up on how Liverpool wanted to bring an end to Steven Gerrard's time at the club two years before his eventual exit from Anfield.
"In Steven's case, I severely doubt whether he really wanted to go and play in the States in 2015," the former Reds forward wrote in his new autobiography 'Reboot' .
"I've heard that the club wanted him out two years prior to when he actually left.
"I'm sure he would rather have wound his career down at Liverpool, playing increasingly fewer games until he reached a point where he could be integrated into the coaching staff.
"This only happened later in his case. But instead, because he'd become so symbolic and so powerful, I believe he was forced out in the short term. Steven was bigger than the club."