“Steven has told us he will not accept our offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave,” a Liverpool club statement read.

“I fully intended to sign a new contract after the Champions League final, but the events of the past five to six weeks have changed all that,” said Gerrard.

“The club has to be bigger than any individual. It’s the ups and downs of football,” said Rick Parry. “Now we have to move on. We have done our best, but he has made it clear he wants to go and I think it looks pretty final.”

Liverpool legend.