Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has taken to social media to respond to reports he has had a bust-up with Brendan Rodgers.
16 years since making his first team debut for his boyhood club, Gerrard had to settle for a place on the bench on Saturday afternoon as Stoke City provided the opposition at Anfield. The midfielder did enter the play on 75 minutes with the score goalless, so was able to celebrate with Glen Johnson when the defender headed home with just five minutes left on the clock.
It had been suggested that the Reds captain has fallen out with Rodgers, who stated before the visit of the Potters that the 34-year-old can no longer expect to play every match. However, the former England international has wasted little time in pouring cold water on such speculation, by taking to social media to insist any reports of a falling out with his manager are nonsense.
“Just to set the record straight media talk of a fall out between us 2 is NONSENSE…have a nice Sunday,” Gerrard, who is out of contract at the Premier League giants in the summer and has been linked with a move to Roberto Mancini’s Internazionale, wrote on his Instagram page on Sunday afternoon, a message he posted along with a picture of him and Rodgers in training.
One player who is in grave danger of falling out with Rodgers, though, is Mario Balotelli. The controversial Italian international joined the Reds from Milan in a £16million deal during the summer, but has yet to score a league goal for his new club. Currently injured, the former Manchester City forward has been criticised for his lacklustre performances, and several media outlets on Sunday claim he angered his manager by staying up late just hours before the FC Basle clash in September.
It is believed the 25-year-old has also caused at least one member of the first team squad to complain to Rodgers about him, whist The Mirror believe the Reds may even pay £4million on top of the £10million they paid Lille for Divock Origi if it allows the return of the Belgian international, currently on loan at the French club, in January rather than at the end of the campaign.
Should Liverpool tie Gerrard to a new contract, or is it time to say goodbye? Let us know what you think by joining in with the discussion below.
