..::Football IV::..

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Liverpool can win the Premier League title, says Everton boss Koeman

Ronald Koeman may be in charge of Liverpool’s arch-rivals Everton, but he has tipped the Reds to sustain a challenge for the Premier League title.

Jurgen Klopp has guided his troops to the top of the table, with a one-point advantage held over the chasing pack.There is a long way to go, with the battle to secure domestic dominance still 27 games from being won.

Liverpool are, however, looking like serious contenders, with an attack-minded philosophy delivering handsome rewards.

They are the top scorers in the division, with 30 goals netted in just 11 outings, and have the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane performing at the peak of their powers.

Koeman acknowledges that he really should not be talking up the title claims of an old adversary, but the Dutchman has been so impressed by events across Stanley Park that it would be wrong of him to ignore the Anfield charge.“It’s still too early to say who will be the favourites, but I have been impressed by Liverpool so far,” he told ESPN FC .

“Maybe that is not what you might expect the Everton manager to say, but they have been playing some very good football and deserve to be at the top. They have goals in their team and this is what all successful sides need.“Of course they can be champions this season, they have a good chance, but they are not the only contenders.”

Everton are currently perched eight points adrift of Liverpool in seventh place and are still searching for consistency under a new management regime.

Things have progressed positively enough to this point, but only one Premier League victory has been taken from their last seven outings and they will be hoping to kick on again after the international break.

 

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'Manchester United must start Carrick against Arsenal'

Ray Wilkins says starting Michael Carrick is a must for Manchester United if they are to stand "a good chance" of taking a positive result from Saturday’s home date with Arsenal.

He believes the 35-year-old midfielder is the only player in Jose Mourinho’s squad that will offer the level of control required to compete with a technically-gifted Gunners side.Arsenal will head to Old Trafford looking to stamp their authority on proceedings early and dictate the tempo of the game.

United, though, as the home side, must look to break the rhythm of Arsene Wenger’s side and prevent them from getting into their stride.Carrick, as a calming presence in the middle of the park, could be the ideal candidate to play the containing role for Mourinho.

He will be happy to sit deep, track runs and shut down avenues of attack for the Gunners, while also looking to spring the Red Devils out on the counter when presented with the ball at his feet.

Wilkins feels his experience and big-game know-how could be crucial, with United returning to Premier League competition in the knowledge that they can ill afford to drop points against a fellow top-four hopeful.

"I don't think United have controlled many games,” the former Red Devils midfielder told Sky Sports News."I think with Carrick in the side, that's the only option they have to get some semblance of control and a bit of serenity.

"He sees the game so well, he can hit long passes and if United are going to push up and attack Arsenal then you're going to need that guy, with all his knowledge, to stop counter-attacks."I think Michael will have to play for United to have a good chance."

Carrick is another of those to have been used sparingly by Mourinho this season, despite boasting a perfect record when he does figure.His six appearances so far have delivered six victories, with successes secured in the Community Shield, EFL Cup, Europa League and Premier League.

He was returned to the starting XI for the 3-1 victory over Swansea City heading into the international break, and that performance may have convinced Mourinho to keep faith with a winning formula.

 

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Modric: I'm ready for the Madrid derby!

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has returned to the Spanish capital and pledged to be fit for the derby against Atletico Madrid.

Modric completed 45 minutes for Croatia in their 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Iceland on Saturday but will not take part in a friendly with Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane suggested earlier in November that Croatia should not call up the 31-year-old in light of his recent recovery from a knee complaint but he appears to have suffered no ill-effects.

"I'm fine, I'm ready for the derby," Modric told reporters, as quoted by Diario AS.
Fellow Blancos midfielder Mateo Kovacic has also returned from Croatia duty.

 

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Rooney will not start against Spain, confirms Southgate

England forward Wayne Rooney will not start when the Three Lions face Spain in Tuesday's friendly at Wembley, interim manager Gareth Southgate has revealed.

Captain Rooney and defender Ryan Bertrand missed Monday's training session as they nursed minor injuries.

They were not immediately ruled out of taking on Julen Lopetegui's side at Wembley and Southgate was reluctant to give a definitive verdict on the match fitness of either player after the rest of his squad had completed training.

But even if Manchester United skipper Rooney is passed fit, he will only be used from the substitutes' bench, meaning that Liverpool's Jordan Henderson will lead the team.

England are already without forward Harry Kane, who withdrew from the squad on Sunday to continue his bid to return to full fitness having only recently returned from seven weeks out with an ankle injury.

"Both [Rooney and Bertrand] are being assessed for minor issues this morning and we will have a look at them as the day goes on," Southgate told reporters.

"I don't know if they will play as yet. I think we'll have to assess that a bit later. They obviously weren't ready to train today so they must be doubts but, until we have a closer look later, we won't be sure."I wouldn't start Wayne in this game anyway so we will decide on which route we will be going," added Southgate, who also confirmed that Joe Hart would start in goal.

"Jordan Henderson will be captain. We have got several leaders and Jordan is one who has shown great responsibility since I've been in the role. We can't just have one captain. We have players to share responsibility and Jordan has shown he can do that.

"Everybody else has trained this morning so we are good to go."The Spain match is the last of four games which Southgate is charged with overseeing as interim boss but he is the heavy favourite to be named Sam Allardyce's full-time successor.

 

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Schweinsteiger: I am ready whenever Mourinho needs me

Bastian Schweinsteiger has told Jose Mourinho that he is ready to give his all for the team whenever the Manchester United manager needs him.

The former Germany international has yet to feature in a competitive game this season after being deemed surplus to requirements by Mourinho at the start of the campaign.

He was recently welcomed back to first-team training, though, and is desperate to start playing games again."I am trying to keep myself fit for the situation in which I am needed,"Schweinsteiger was quoted as saying by Eurosport.

"Hopefully I will be given a chance. I look forward to training every day and being able to train with the team. I do not know if I will get a chance but I hope so. If I am needed, I will give everything - I am ready.

"I still feel fit at 32 and certainly want to play more years at the top level and, of course, I want to win things. We won the FA Cup last year and that was also one of my aims. Of course it would be great to play for United in the Premier League and perhaps win it.

"I am not one to think of burying my head in the sand. I have always been a positive person and still am now. My rhythm is good - of course, it is different when you play each weekend compared with when you are only training, but I enjoy my football."

 

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Marriner to referee Manchester United clash against Arsenal

Andre Marriner has been appointed to referee Manchester United's clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The two sides will clash this weekend for the first time this season, with Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger set to renew hostilities.

Marriner has officiated 21 United games in the Premier League in his career, with the club winning 13, drawing one and losing seven. In that time he has shown 33 yellow cards and one red card.

The 45-year-old also famously mistook Kieran Gibbs for Alex OxladeChamberlain during Arsenal's 6-0 defeat to Mourinho's Chelsea in 2014, a mistake for which he was dropped from the Premier League's referee list.

United and Arsenal's clash this weekend is arguably one of the biggest games of the season thus far, with Mourinho's side desperate to move up the table - they currently languish in sixth - while the Gunners will hope to maintain their pressure on leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal drew 1-1 with Tottenham in a spiky north London derby last time out, while United defeated Swansea City 3-1 in Wales.

 

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Bayern's Robben fit to face Dortmund

Bayern Munich have received a boost over Arjen Robben's fitness ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga trip to face Borussia Dortmund.

The attacker suffered a minor muscular problem in Netherlands' 3-1 World Cup qualification win over Luxembourg on Sunday and was taken off at half-time as a precautionary measure.

Robben attempted to allay fears of a long lay-off after the match and Bayern have now confirmed that there is no reason for concern."Good news regarding Arjen Robben," a statement on the club's official website reads.

"An investigation on Monday did not reveal any serious injury. There are no obstacles that could prevent the Dutch winger from taking part in Sunday's Bundesliga encounter in Dortmund."Robben was taken off as a precautionary measure … due to a minor thigh problem."

Robben, 32, has been a key figure for Bayern since returning from the physical problems that saw him miss the opening weeks of the season, scoring four goals in nine appearances in all competitions.

 

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Incredible Gomez still key for Germany - Low

Germany coach Joachim Low has underlined the importance of Mario Gomez to the world champions ahead of their international friendly against Italy.

The Wolfsburg man has endured a somewhat difficult start to the 2016-17 campaign, partially due to injury, and failed to find the net in last week's 8-0 World Cup qualifying win over San Marino.

However, Low sees no reason for concern and believes the 31-year-old is on the right track again."Mario got injured after Euro 2016 and that set him back a bit," Low said at a news conference.

"He is a striker who is a great finisher. He has some incredible quality, with his left foot, his right foot and his head. He showed that at the Euros."He had a great year with Besiktas last season with a lot of goals and is on the right track at Wolfsburg as well. He is very important to us."

Germany defeated Italy on penalties in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, and Low expects the Azzurri to put in a similar performance to the one they faced in France."Italy's team is not too different from the team we faced at Euro 2016," he added.

"Italy have their own style of play, which they have been using for years. We expect a tactically strong Italy that will try to put us under pressure. They are capable of causing us problems with their attack."I think both teams will feel less pressure than during the Euros."

 

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Spain star David Silva a doubt for England clash after training alone

Playmaker David Silva trained separately from his Spain team-mates on the eve of the international friendly against England, casting doubt on the Manchester City star's involvement at Wembley.

Julen Lopetegui's squad worked with the ball at their open session ahead of Tuesday's match in London, with the exception of Silva, who went through a series of exercises along with a member of Spain's backroom team.

The Manchester City playmaker completed 90 minutes and captained the side as La Roja beat Macedonia 4-0 in Saturday's World Cup qualifier and Lopetegui did not report any specific injury concerns at his pre-match news conference.

"We're going to see tomorrow," he said. "We've got another 24 hours and we're going to see how everybody is."We have an idea roughly but we'll see what the exact scenario is tomorrow, how we're going to set up and who's going to feature.

"The first people to know of any changes will be the players themselves, of course, and they'll know when we announce the team tomorrow night."

Silva has won 105 caps for his country, scoring 28 times, and the 30-year-old has continued to feature prominently under Pep Guardiola this season for City, who are back in Premier League action at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

 

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Rooney drops out of England squad with knee injury

Wayne Rooney has dropped out of the England squad due to a knee injury, ruling him out of Tuesday night's friendly against Spain.

The Manchester United captain missed training on Monday with a "minor issue", and it has now been confirmed that he will return to Old Trafford instead of taking on La Roja at Wembley.

It remains to be seen if Rooney, who has scored one Premier League goal in 10 games this term, will be fit for United's clash with Arsenal this weekend, as Jose Mourinho's men look to move into the top-four.

Ryan Bertrand was also absent from the session prior to the game and will be assessed before kick-off, while interim manager Gareth Southgate is also without striker Harry Kane, who has returned to Tottenham to work on his fitness ahead of this weekend's clash with West Ham United.

Southgate had previously confirmed that Jordan Henderson would captain the team against Spain, as the former Middlesbrough manager looks to continue his unbeaten run as Three Lions manager.

The 46-year-old has guided the team to two wins, over Malta and Scotland, as well as a draw against Slovenia, and is reported to be in line for the permanent position following Sam Allardyce's departure. The Three Lions sit top of their World Cup 2018 qualifying group, holding a two point lead over Slovenia.

Meanwhile, Spain have injury concerns of their own. La Roja boss Julen Lopetegui has revealed they could be without David Silva for Tuesday's game after the Manchester City star trained apart from his team-mates on Monday. Having worked with one of the team’s backroom staff, the attacker’s condition will be checked before they make a decision on whether he will play.

 

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Real Madrid's best player isn't Ronaldo or Bale - Gabi

Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi believes Luka Modric is more important to Real Madrid than Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

The capital clubs go head-to-head for the first time this season in Saturday’s match at the Vicente Calderon, with Zinedine Zidane’s side looking to at least protect their lead at the top of La Liga. Both sides have started the season strong, but two defeats in their last three games has left Atleti sitting six points behind their local rivals.Gabi feels the Champions League holders are wary of the threat his side pose, but with Luka Modric back in action following a recent injury, he insists their adversaries have their key weapon back.

“That Madrid are making a massive effort to recover their top players speaks a lot about what we are doing and how they view us," Gabi told reporters at a charity event for La Rueda de la Felicidad .“With Modric, they have recovered their best player - he's the one who makes them play and gives the team balance. We'll try to counter his playmaking skills.”

Antoine Griezmann could miss the match due to an injury he picked up while on international duty with France. Atletico confirmed he will return to training this week, and Gabi is hopeful the league’s third top goalscorer can play a part.“He's got a nasty knock,” the 33-year-old added. “He's got work to do to be able to make it. We are hoping he can withstand the pain and help us on Saturday.”

Real have won each of their last four matches in the league and remain unbeaten, but Gabi is sure his side are at least equal to them heading into Saturday’s encounter.

“It's a very important game for us, we have managed to be able to compete with Madrid and if we can beat them on Saturday, then we'll put ourselves into the race.“Matches immediately after international breaks are usually a bit strange, some players come back with injury problems and I think that will be a key factor this time; I hope everyone goes into the game in the best shape possible.

“It's difficult to match a team like Madrid - only a few years ago it was unthinkable. There are no favourites, let's hope we can give our people some joy.”

 

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International Friendly Fixtures 2016.11.15

International Friendly Fixtures 2016.11.15

Russia Vs Romania

Malta Vs Iceland

Hungary Vs Sweden

Ukraine Vs Serbia

Czech Republic Vs Denmark

Austria Vs Slovakia

Italy Vs Germany

Nothern Ireland Vs Croatia

England Vs Spain

France Vs Ivory Coast​

 

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Good Luck Spain!​

 

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Carrick: Do not write off Man Utd's title chances just yet

Michael Carrick remains optimistic over Manchester United's chances of winning the Premier League title despite their underwhelming start to the season.The likes of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived at Old Trafford in the transfer window, but Jose Mourinho's men are a disappointing sixth in the table after 11 games, trailing leaders Liverpool by eight points.

But midfielder Carrick told Sky Sports: "We want to be at the top challenging. We have had some ups and downs along the way, but it is not to say that we have given up on winning things just yet."It is too early for that and we have got too much quality and too much of a good team and squad to give up on anything.

"We just do not feel we have got the results our performances have warranted; we know it can change, we are not up to Christmas yet, there is still so much to play for and we still believe that when it comes near the end and when it counts we will be right up there."

On United's clash with Arsenal on Saturday, Carrick added: "Arsenal have got some really good players. When it clicks for them they are a very dangerous team and they have shown in their start to the season how dangerous they can be.

"But I think we can be quite dangerous as well and we probably have not quite clicked into top gear which, in some ways is a good thing, because we know there is plenty to come.

"And if we can just hang in there and not be too far away we feel when we do hit top form we will have a right say in it."

 

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Conte and Simeone focus more on tactics than Mourinho - Courtois

Thibaut Courtois claims current Chelsea boss Antonio Conte places greater emphasis on tactics than his predecessor Jose Mourinho.

The Belgium international also considers the Italian coach to spend more time on game management than Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone – who he spent three years working under during productive loan spells – and his former national team manager Marc Wilmots.That should, perhaps, come as no surprise, with Conte having been schooled in a Serie A system that prides itself on being tactically astute.

He also comes across as being very particular, with everything planned in minute detail in an effort to avoid any potential mishaps.Conte is, however, a proven performer at the highest level – both as a player and in the dugout – and has found a formula which works for him.

This season alone, he has transformed the fortunes of Chelsea after reverting to a 3-4-3 formation - a similar system to the 3-5-2 structure he used in charge of both Juventus and Italy.

He knows how to get the best out of a setup involving three defenders and tweaked the playing staff at Stamford Bridge over the summer accordingly in order to fit that particular mould.

In contrast, Manchester United boss Mourinho and Atletico stalwart Simeone are more reactionary in their methods, with greater emphasis placed on spirit and rolling with the punches than following a set pre-game pattern.That is not to say that they do not have a plan, it is just that they go about their business in a different manner.

Courtios would appear to echo that way of thinking, telling La Tribune: “Conte is the one that works most tactically. Then there is Simeone, then Mourinho and finally Wilmots."

The Chelsea goalkeeper has also acknowledged that switching formation on the back of a mixed start to the 2016-17 campaign has helped to turn Conte’s side into serious Premier League title challengers.

He added: “We started the season 4-3-3. We started well with three wins but then we drew 2-2 at Swansea and lost against Liverpool playing a bad game. That was also the case against Arsenal.

“Then Conte said, ‘we will change’. At Hull, things were rather mixed at first and then against Leicester, Manchester United, Southampton and especially against Everton, we really saw the quality of the team.”

 

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Sevilla winger Vitolo open to Premier League move

Sevilla winger Vitolo is relishing turning out for Spain at Wembley on Tuesday and would welcome a move to England at some stage in his career.

The 27-year-old has been one of the breakthrough performers of Spain's new era under Julen Lopetegui, starting all five matches post-Euro 2016 and scoring three goals.

His powerful, all-action style would appear an ideal fit for the Premier League and Vitolo is open to joining the sizeable contingent of his countrymen in the English top flight.

He told The Guardian: "This call-up is special. It's the chance to play there against a team like England. Wembley is emblematic; not just for English football, but for football itself."At some point in the future it could be good for me to try playing in England."

Ex-Sevilla and current Liverpool full-back Alberto Moreno is a close friend of Vitolo's – a native of Gran Canaria, from where Manchester City playmaker and Spain mainstay David Silva also hails."[Moreno] tells me the Premier League would really suit me," he said.

"From what Alberto tells me and from what I’ve seen, the most noticeable thing is that the English teams are powerful."On Silva, he added: "He has played 100 games for Spain now and only great players reach that."He's a legend at Manchester City, a role model [to me] that a player can come from the Canaries and achieve."

After winning a third consecutive Europa League title, Sevilla saw key men such as Ever Banega and Kevin Gameiro depart along with coach Unai Emery, who left for Paris Saint-GermainBut they are riding high, fifth in La Liga, once more under Jorge Sampaoli and Vitolo knows the success of Sevilla's model means it would be foolish to discount a high-profile move of his own in the near future.

"Every summer the club sells players. That's the policy and it’s brought success," he said. "It's true that at other clubs, results can be affected but at Sevilla it goes okay."Let's see what happens. But I'm very happy here and above all my family is very happy here."

 

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Varane aims to retire at Real Madrid

Raphael Varane hopes to stay at Real Madrid for the remainder of his career.The France international joined Madrid from Lens in June 2011 and has since developed into an important first-team member at the Santiago Bernabeu, making over 150 appearances in all competitions.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a number of Premier League sides in recent years, but he has made it clear that he is not interested in a move elsewhere."Right now, I would like to stay at Real Madrid until the end of my career," Varane told Le Figaro.

"Things are going very fast in this industry, but why would I not want to retire at Madrid? There is no reason for me to leave."I am feeling very well at Madrid. It is obviously very difficult to predict what the future looks like, but I cannot see myself leaving at the moment.

"I want to continue to be a first-team regular here at Madrid. That is my long-term goal."Varane's contract in the Spanish capital runs until June 2020.

 

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OFFICIAL: LA Galaxy confirm Gerrard exit

LA Galaxy have released a statement confirming that midfielder Steven Gerrard has left the club following the conclusion of his contract.

Gerrard has scored five goals and provided 14 assists in 34 appearances for the Galaxy during the MLS regular season after a high-profile, drawn-out departure from boyhood club Liverpool in 2015.

The Anfield legend is now expected to return to British shores, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp saying Gerrard would "always be welcome" at the club, amid speculation he could return in a coaching capacity.Celtic have also been credited with an interest, with ex-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers thought to be keen on a reunion with his former captain.

In a statement, Gerrard has hinted he is yet to make a decision on whether he will retire on a penalty-shootout defeat to Colorado Rapids in the MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference semi-finals."When I left Liverpool, I came to Los Angeles with the goal of helping the Galaxy lift another MLS Cup," Gerrard said in a statement.

"I am of course disappointed to have not achieved that objective, but I can look back at my time at the club with pride at what we accomplished, including two straight playoff appearances and countless memorable moments on the pitch."As someone who spent the whole of their career in Liverpool, it has been an incredible experience to come to Los Angeles and play for the LA Galaxy.

"I would also like to thank my teammates, the coaching staff, all of the support staff and most importantly the fans for their fantastic support during my time at Galaxy; I am excited to see this league and this great club continue to grow."I am now looking forward to spending time with my family as I consider the next stage of my career."

Gerrard's departure follows his former England midfield partner Frank Lampard's decision to leave New York City FC upon the expiration of his contract.Like Gerrard, Lampard has been linked with a coaching return to his former club Chelsea.

 

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Mkhitaryan will be a Manchester United star, insists Blomqvist

Former Manchester United winger Jesper Blomqvist believes it is only a matter of time before Henrikh Mkhitaryan proves his quality for the club.

The Armenia captain has been kept on the fringes of the first team by manager Jose Mourinho for much of the season, making just one appearance since he was replaced at half-time of the 2-1 loss to Manchester City on September 10.

Mourinho has publicly urged the former Borussia Dortmund star to do more to earn his place in the team, prompting the player himself to vow to win over his manager when he returns from international duty this week.

Blomqvist, who won the treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999 with United, is confident that Mkhitaryan will be a success in England."He can definitely become a star," the former Sweden international told MUTV.

"United is a big club and it takes longer to settle in for some players. Maybe Henrikh needs a little more time to settle in but, when you see how he reads the game and what he has achieved elsewhere, it's surely only going to be a matter of time before he shows us what he can do at Old Trafford."Blomqvist also praised the impact of compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic since his move to United on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in July.

"It's obvious what Zlatan has brought to the club on the pitch - and not just directly," he said. "His movement allows space for others to create and score goals too.

"But he's also just as important off the pitch, showing the youngsters how to be a good professional and setting an example. He still works hard, in spite of the fact that he's won everything, and he enjoys it. That's a good sign."

 

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Gerrard: LA Galaxy exit 'not the end of me'

Steven Gerrard is open to the possibility of calling time on his illustrious playing career after his LA Galaxy departure was confirmed on Monday, but added that he will remain in football in some capacity.

Rooney, Schweinsteiger & 10 players who could leave Man Utd in January exodusGerrard will not renew his contract with the Galaxy after failing to lead them to MLS Cup glory in one and a half seasons in California.

The Liverpool legend will now return to British shores, with Anfield manager Jurgen Klopp saying Gerrard would "always be welcome" at the club, amid speculation he could return in a coaching role.

Celtic have also been credited with an interest, with ex-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers thought to be keen on a reunion with his former captain and keeping the 36-year-old's playing days going.

And Gerrard has confirmed that playing and coaching offers have been put to him, giving him a testing decision to make in the coming weeks."I've learned a lot. Off the coaches and off my team-mates and I'll certainly use that for myself moving forward," Gerrard told reporters."Although I'm going back to England to live, it's certainly not the end of me in football terms.

"I've got a lot of things to consider over the coming weeks and months and I'm sure I'll be back involved in the game somewhere down the line."I've got options on the pitch, off the pitch. I've got a bit of thinking to do over the next two, three weeks.

"I'm not ready to make a decision or finalise anything that I'm going to be doing moving forward.When Higuain was still Pipita - the story of the Juventus star's rise to the top"What I will say is I'm going home to spend some time with my family and basically go over my options and decide which is the next best challenge for me."

Gerrard's departure follows his former England midfield partner Frank Lampard's decision to leave New York City FC upon the expiration of his contract.Like Gerrard, Lampard has been linked with a coaching return to his former club Chelsea.