Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is keen on winning the FA Cup to send off Steven Gerrard, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, Express reports.
The Reds boss realizes that Gerrard’s retirement will force him to find a new leader within the squad, especially with club owners Fenway Sports Group opting to buy younger players with potential rather than experienced and proven stars.
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But before the club legend departs, Rodgers believes winning the FA Cup is the best way for Gerrard to end his Liverpool career.
“That has to come from within,” said Rodgers. “I felt here in my time that even when Steven was on the bench, at times the team were looking for that player, looking for Steven to come off the bench and come into the game.
“This is an opportunity now for the players within to really go and step forward as this is it and come the end of the season he won’t be here.
“As a club, if we are not signing that type of player and profile, then it has to come from within and that is the reality of where we at.
“Our aim was always to win a trophy this year and even more so now with that added incentive.
“To have a captain who has been a monumental figure for this club leaving, there’d be no greater tribute than to reach a final, particularly an FA Cup Final, and to see him lift a trophy.
“That’s what dreams are all about. It would be a great way for him to end his career and certainly we don’t want Stoke City to be our last game of the season.”
It is expected that once Gerrard makes his likely switch to LA Galaxy at the end of the campaign, Jordan Henderson will be handed the captain’s armband.
