LONDON (Reuters) – Steven Gerrard has pledged his future to Liverpool for the rest of his playing career saying he will never leave the club.

The 32-year-old Liverpool skipper, who has made nearly 600 appearances in all competitions since making his debut in 1998, told the BBC he had had opportunities to leave a number of times in the past few years but had no regrets about staying.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring during their Champions League soccer match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield in Liverpool in this October 1, 2008 file photograph. Gerrard has pledged his future to Liverpool for the rest of his playing career saying he will never leave the club. REUTERS/Phil Noble/Files

"I’ve had many opportunities to leave in the last five, seven years and I think everyone is aware that my head has been turned on a couple of occasions but it’s never been enough to move.

"I have no regrets and I am really happy I have stayed and I am loving my football here. I am born in Liverpoool, I am a Liverpool supporter. I know what it means to play for this club as a supporter and I will never leave," he said.

"The dream for me was always to play just the once for Liverpool, just to say I had played for the team I supported as a young boy.

"So to be approaching nearly 600 caps for Liverpool and nearly 100 caps (for England) at 32…I would have bitten their hand off."

He also said that, despite a sluggish start to the season, a top-four finish in the Premier League and a trophy remained realistic aims.

Liverpool are currently 14th in the Premier League table after six matches and have three points from their first two Europa League matches but asked what their realistic target was, Gerrard told Football Focus: "Top four and a trophy.

"I think teams will find it really difficult to play against us and I’m confident we can go on a run of winning games."

Gerrard has won the Champions League and UEFA Cup with Liverpool plus two FA Cups and three League Cups. He has played 98 times for England but is suspended from next week’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino.

(Reporting by Mike Collett; Editing by John Mehaffey)

Related posts:

• Gerrard signs new long-term contract with Liverpool
• Gerrard hat-trick earns Liverpool derby spoils
• Gerrard returns after long Liverpool absence
• Gerrard seals Liverpool win at Man City in Cup semi-final
• Liverpool’s Gerrard wants Suarez to shake Evra’s hand