Jamie Carragher urges Steven Gerrard to reject Liverpool return

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has warned Steven Gerrard that he should not return to the club on loan.

The Reds captain played his final game at Anfield today before he moves to the Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season.

A future loan deal has been suggested, but Carragher is adamant that his former colleague should stay away.

He told Sky Sports News: "I hope he doesn't come back on loan. Make a clean break from the football side of it, go away for a couple of years, get out of that Liverpool bubble.

"It will be good mentally to move away, and then come back in some role, but not in a playing capacity. Steven Gerrard is a figurehead for this city, not just the football club, and he has had to carry that.

"I don't think you can replace that [Gerrard]. Man United are still looking for the next [Roy] Keane, Arsenal are still looking for the next [Patrick] Vieira, but that doesn't mean you can't be successful and do well."

Gerrard will play his final Liverpool game against Stoke City next week.