Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has expressed his belief that now is the right time for Steven Gerrard to leave Anfield for a "new challenge".

The club captain announced earlier in the season that he will end his 17-year career on Merseyside before joining MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer.

The 34-year-old's final game for the Reds ended miserably as he was on the end of a 6-1 defeat to Stoke City on Sunday, but Houllier believes that the midfielder should have "no regrets".

"Honestly, I think he made the right decision to look for a new challenge, but I would stress this - he should have no regrets," the Liverpool Echo quotes Houllier as saying.

"What he has done for Liverpool is incredible, and I don't think anybody could have done any more. His name is synonymous with the club, and you can't really say much more than that."

Gerrard made 710 appearances for Liverpool during his career.