Steven Gerrard exclusive: I won't return to Europe on loan

Gerrard joined LA Galaxy after the expiration of his contract at Liverpool in the summer but their season was cut short when they lost 3-2 to Seattle Sounders in the knockout round of the MLS play-offs in October.

The midfielder, who made 710 appearances for Liverpool and scored 186 goals for his only English club, had been linked with a possible playing return to the club in January – following a model established by David Beckham when he left Galaxy for two loan spells with AC Milan.

New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said two weeks ago he had exchanged messages with Gerrard and that the former skipper could join in training at Melwood, but ruled out adding the club legend as a player mid-way through the season.

And now Gerrard has confirmed that, with no England matches to keep sharp for, he has no need to revisit his career in European football.

“I’ve retired from the national team so I don’t have to go and prove myself in Europe,” Gerrard told Eurosport International in an exclusive interview.

“I need to get some rest because I’ve got a very long season ahead next year, so it’s very important I come back strong, rested and ready to go again.”

Gerrard left England in the summer without ever winning the Premier League title, a source of extreme regret for a player who enjoyed success in the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and UEFA Cup.

Although he says winning the MLS Cup is his target in America, nothing can make up for the pain of failing to lift the title in his home country, with his famous slip against Chelsea at the end of the 2013-14 season costing Liverpool badly in his final shot at glory.

“I think it’d be fantastic to win the league over here but it certainly wouldn’t make amends for finishing second three times,” Gerrard said.

"They were very frustrating and disappointing moments and experiences I’ll never forget. But certainly the plan and the target for me, and the dream, is to try and become champion in the USA.

“I have to look at myself and the team and take responsibility for not being a champion in England, but of course the Premier League is very difficult, because every year two people – Mr Abramovich and the Sheikh at Manchester City – they pile in fortunes of money every single year so for clubs like Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal it becomes much more difficult.

“I think it is more level here, and more balanced. I’m not complaining, it’s the rules. It’s just the way it is.”