Steven Gerrard’s double last night against AFC Wimbledon secured Liverpool safe passage to the next round of the FA Cup while also serving as a timely reminder that the eulogies lavished upon him this week are somewhat premature.
While supporters and media alike have spent the past week looking back on an extraordinary career the player himself remained firmly in the present doing what he does best – pulling his club by the scruff of the neck from potential mire.
It was a reminder too that, although at 34 the force is fading, the drive, will, and talent are still of sufficient calibre to ensure whoever snaps him up this summer will get infinitely more than just a marquee name.
Who that club will be has prompted an avalanche of speculation since Gerrard let slip (sorry) he intends to leave Anfield after two decades of service.
Most suggest the MLS in America will be the likeliest destination with LA Galaxy the clear favourite. There is certainly logic to this claim as it represents an entirely fresh challenge for the player while relocating to the Californian sunshine must be a tempting lifestyle shift for the man and his family.
However, Alex Donohue at Ladbrokes told the Cutter that mirroring David Beckham’s career wind-down may not be as nailed on as some believe – “Understandably American sides dominate Gerrard’s next club betting but the early cash suggests he’s ditching LA for New York. We don’t expect to see too many people backing him to stay put.”
The odds available at Ladbrokes are below and it’s pertinent to point out that, among the acres of printed rumour and hours of hearsay, it is usually the bookies who know best.
Next club
LA Galaxy 1/3
New York Red Bulls 4/1
Orlando City 5/1
AC Milan 16/1
Inter Milan 22/1
Juventus 25/1
PSG 25/1
Everton 100/1
For what it’s worth our money is on the Red Bulls. A decent price and a tip and a wink from the nation’s leading bookmaker have swayed us.
Who is YOUR money on? Let us know on Twitter here.
Check out all the latest prices on Gerrard and all things sport here
