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Steven Gerrard played 114 times for England. Mike Egerton

Rodgers welcomes Gerrard's international retirement

The Liverpool boss paid tribute to his star’s career at international level.

STEVEN GERRARD’S INTERNATIONAL retirement will only benefit Liverpool and their bid to win the Premier League, according to Brendan Rodgers.

After earning 114 caps and captaining England at successive FIFA World Cups in 2010 and 2014, Gerrard opted to quit international football in order to focus on Liverpool.

Speaking to reporters at Fenway Park in Boston ahead of Liverpool’s friendly fixture against Roma on Wednesday, Rodgers said the 34-year-old skipper’s decision was a boost for the club, who are also preparing for their return to the UEFA Champions League after finishing second last season.

“I’d spent a lot of time talking to Steven on it, because I know how much it means to him to captain his country,” Rodgers said.

“He has been a wonderful captain. But Liverpool is everything to him and there’s certainly no doubt that by missing out on international football, it will make him fresher.

“He’ll be ready to be at his optimum level as often as he possibly can. For us at Liverpool, it’s great. It brings an end to what has been a great career for England.”

Liverpool kick-off their Premier League campaign against Southampton at Anfield on August 17.

Van Gaal happy with preparations as Beckham drops by for an LA visit>

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14 Comments
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    Mute Brian Foley
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 10:06 AM

    Its amazing how his career slipped by…

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 10:53 AM

    Amazing how you lot are obsessed with him…… What have you achieved in your career?

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    Mute Moneybags
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 11:11 AM

    Well I didn’t slip when it mattered most in my life

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    Mute LL&P BAZINGA !
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 11:20 AM

    What have I achieved …. I’ll controlled a midfield in a pretty important game I played in once , I also used to hang out with a couple of DJ friends and they all went home safe each night , faithful to my lifetime partner ..

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 12:32 PM

    Must have been the runs you had Moneybags…. glad you made it.

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 1:08 PM

    now Graham is going to regail us with his glorious achievements instead of his childish school yard question

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 1:33 PM

    No, that is stupid, as is much yours and others comments.

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    Mute Brian Carroll
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 8:03 PM

    Change the record ya clown

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    Mute Brian Carroll
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 8:04 PM

    Well said graham

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 8:14 PM

    another deluded fool

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 8:23 PM

    I agree Brian he is indeed a fool well said boss yawn

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    Mute Dan
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 1:22 PM

    Plenty of ability and a great attitude, plus he pulled poor Liverpool teams up on his own time after time.

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 12:50 PM

    he should be good for another season of taking free kicks corners and penalties and very little else mind you he made a carear out of it

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    Mute Mark Noonan
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    Jul 23rd 2014, 1:12 PM

    Made a what out of it?

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