Roy Evans says Steven Gerrard could still do a good job for Liverpool

"People say they offered him half the contract he had. He gave up England to play for Liverpool but Brendan Rodgers didn’t play him in the Real Madrid game, Man U game, all the big games, he sort of left him out. "People say he is getting older but for me he still has a lot to offer. I think Liverpool has to forget about the potential in many ways and they have to get players who know they are going to do the job.

Former Liverpool boss Roy Evans believes his old club should have done more to retain the services of Steven Gerrard. The former England captain left Anfield for LA Galaxy at the end of last season after scoring 186 goals in 710 appearances for the club. Fans around the City of Liverpool talk about their favourite and most iconic Steven Gerrard moments. Despite celebrating his 35th birthday at the end of May, Evans, who was in charge of Liverpool between 1994-1998, is convinced the midfielder 'still has a lot to offer'. "People say he is getting older but for me Steven Gerrard still has a lot to offer." Roy Evans, former Liverpool manager Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, he said: "I’m talking as a supporter now and I think they should have tried hard to keep Steven.

"We have a great academy with a lot of lads with good potential coming through the academy and we have to look at them sometimes. "Jordon Ibe and people like that have signed a contract so hopefully with a mixture of some experience and some younger kids we’ll have a better squad and at least a better attacking option. "Throughout the season Daniel Sturridge has been injured for most of the time... and sometimes Brendan has played without a striker which has been very difficult for the fans to take." Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes his side will miss Steven Gerrard's determination and professionalism Despite failing to build on the previous season's second-place finish, Evans is convinced Rodgers should remain in charge at Anfield. "Brendan brought a lot of players in but it didn't quite work," he said. "In the end I thought it was quite a disappointing season but I know Brendan recognises that as well. "A lot of young players, you're looking for potential but when you are heading to the top end you can only take so much potential, you have to get recognised top players and I don’t think we brought in enough of them.

"At the end of the season I think we paid the price for that. We had a really good chance to make the Champions League with six or seven games to go and with a potential FA Cup final as well. "I think Brendan should stay... but he has to start the season really well otherwise he will be in some trouble." Roy Evans on Brendan Rodgers "But I just think of late Brendan had found it difficult and there was a little bit of a turn from the fans. Sometimes we play without a striker and sometimes fans see players playing out of position. "I think he should stay and he is there to do the job. But he has to start the season really well otherwise he will be in some trouble."

Raheem Sterling's transfer request not about money - ex-Liverpool boss Roy Evans

Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans believes Raheem Sterling's desire to leave Anfield is not financially motivated. Sterling and his agent have been roundly criticised after rejecting the Reds' offer of an extension to his current contract, which expires next summer, and would see the player earn £100,000-a-week. The 20-year-old was booed during England's 0-0 friendly draw with Ireland in Dublin on Sunday afternoon and it seems likely that Sterling will leave Liverpool in the current transfer window. Manchester City have been linked with the player, and although their vast financial power would come into play for any potential deal, Evans has doubts that money is the cause of Sterling’s discontent. "That's been a worry for a while," Evans told Sky Sports News HQ. "Obviously I'm not privy to what happens in dressing rooms nowadays.

"Raheem is not quite the finished article yet and it's disappointing that he wants to move somewhere else. I don't think it's all about money. "At the end of the day, £100,000 or £200,000 doesn't really make an awful lot of difference. I would just like to know the real reason why he wants to leave." Evans has also added his voice to those who feel Sterling would be best served by staying at Liverpool and developing his game before seeking a move away.

He also felt England manager Roy Hodgson was wrong for suggesting Sterling needs ‘a thicker skin’ to deal with the vocal criticism he received in Dublin. "I think the best thing for him to do is to stay, learn a bit more from Liverpool and then if further down the line you want to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona, then you can," added Evans, who managed Liverpool from 1994-1998 after 28 years on the club’s coaching staff. "I think Roy was a bit unkind when he said he has to get a thick skin. When you're a young kid and you're getting a lot stick from the Liverpool fans, you have to take it on the chin. "At his age, it’s difficult and it can knock your confidence. It will be a loss for Liverpool as I think he is a great talent and with his potential. he could go far but if he doesn't want to stay, there then there's no point trying to keep him."