Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson believes captain Steven Gerrard could not be blamed for wanting out of Anfield if he chose to leave the club this summer. After a disappointing domestic season, the England midfielder has already been linked with Real Madrid, with their expected new manager Jose Mourinho already speaking highly of his talents.
But with the Liverpool captain about to turn 30 on Sunday, Thompson feels it should not be held against Gerrard if he seeks a new challenge elsewhere.
"I think it is an extremely difficult one. I hope he stays and I would love him to stay," the three-time European Cup winner and former assistant manager said.
"He's 30 this week and it has been an extremely difficult time. Stevie Gerrard has done his utmost for Liverpool and if players want to leave Liverpool, the club will go on.
"Steven Gerrard has carried Liverpool on his shoulders for years, [he did it] when I was there with Gerard Houllier, he's carried them with Rafael Benitez.
"I think it would be difficult to begrudge him if he wants to move away with the way things have gone."
"We've gone from second to seventh. The team has gone down, the quality of the squad is not there," Thompson added.
"If he (Gerrard) was to see there was a move forwards in the signing of players - and I think Torres has come out and said a similar thing - I think we might see both committing their foreseeable future to Liverpool.
"Torres was exactly right when he said he wants to see investment in better players because he doesn't want to be challenging just for fourth place next season, and he has every right to say that.
"I don't want to see Liverpool challenging for fourth. We went into this season trying to win the title and next season we are talking about trying to finish fourth - it is not LFC."
