Is Gerrard’s Move To LA Galaxy: A Wise Decision

The announcement that Liverpool captain, and long-serving loyalist, Steven Gerrard was leaving the club that he had played for since 1997, was met mournfully by fans late last year. Despite Gerrard having an indifferent season, where he was used somewhat cautiously by manger Brendan Rodgers, few would have predicted that it would be his last season with Liverpool after 17 years playing for the club.

Barely had the reverberations of this announcement begun to settle when Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy revealed that they had signed Gerrard to an 18-month deal. Gerrard, who turns 35 this year, will begin his stateside career after the conclusion of the 2014/2015 Premiership football season. Therefore, he will be present within the Liverpool squad for the next few months, including their match against West Ham, where they are 4/6 to win according to football betting website Bet365.

Gerald’s decision to leave the premiership for the emerging, if still questionably respected, American soccer league is highly reminiscent of David Beckham’s similar move to the US in 2007, especially considering they both signed to the same team. However, like Beckham, many feel that Gerald will struggle to cope with the step-down in prestige and competition despite the hefty pay-check and LA lifestyle that comes with it.

This was indeed the case when it came to Beckham who, after only seldom playing for Galaxy in his debut season, pursued a loan to Milan FC. Moreover, this decision prompted LA Fans to give him an angry reception upon his return in 2009. However, this impassioned and disapproving reception did not stop Beckham returning to Milan the following year. Although not overly detrimental to Beckham’s legacy or reputation, this incident did demonstrate the extent that Beckham would go to return to the iconic European football stage.

It is an issue that Gerrard will face as well. It may seem to him, now, that considering his advancing age and niggling injuries that it is prudent to accept a big-money deal, where he is guaranteed to remain in a prominent position. Also, what footballer wants to see youth rise up and push them further down the pecking-order until they retire with a whimper. It is a sensible decision in many respects but one which, I fear, seems much more appealing in theory then in practice.

Gerrard has been in a Premiership team his entire career. He has over 100 caps for England and is one of the most respected and beloved figureheads of Premiership football. He is used to an astronomically high standard of the play; the chance to play against the world’s best players and upon the globes most famous stages. True, he may fear as he closes in on the age of 40, that he will eventually become outplayed and outdated on these very same stages. But, being a big fish in a small pond is never going to work for someone who has been a bigger fish in an even bigger pond for over a decade.

I cannot predict the future, and Gerrard may thrive in the US and enjoy his twilight career years using his declining form within a field that accommodates it. However, for my money, I see Gerrard returning for one last season amongst the European elite. Because, although he may be in the twilight of his career, he is still a star.