Liverpool’s owners have made their initial contract offer to their captain.
The contract battle between Steven Gerrard and Liverpool began in earnest last week, with the midfielder telling the press he was keen to stay at Anfield, and was just waiting to be offered a new deal.
Liverpool’s American owners have now responded with a low-ball bid that will see the star’s current £180,000-per-week deal significantly slashed.
According to the Daily Star, Gerrard will be offered a two-year deal, earning £90,000-per-week in its first year, then £60,000-per-week in its second.
The deal puts the ball back in the club legend’s court: does he take the lower offer and prove his love for the club runs deeper than the money, or does he leave for potentially more lucrative offers elsewhere?
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The Merseyside club’s offer also includes a clause which would allow Gerrard to take up a coaching role when the playing part of the contract expires in 2017.
The Daily Star’s report on the situation suggests that the Liverpool skipper is looking for wages closer to his current weekly salary, and thus won’t be happy with the offer on the table.
Gerrard has been linked with a variety of moves once his contract expires, with pundits speculating about a move to the MLS or to Italy.
The former England midfielder has had an up-and-down season, with some good performances overshadowed by his sides’ troubles.