Liverpool want captain Steven Gerrard to take a 50 per cent wage cut to stay at the club. The midfielder went public last week with the announcement that his contract runs out at the end of the current season and that the Reds are yet to offer him a new deal.
A deal is now on the table, but it is one which is significantly worse than his current contract. His current £180,000-a-week wages have been halfed to £90,000 (dropping to £60,000 in the second year), due to the fact the club’s American owners do not believe he should be on ‘superstar wages’ anymore.
However, built in with the new deal, is the offer of a coaching role at Anfield in 2017 or the option to become a club ambassador, should Gerrard decide he doesn’t want a hands-on role in the game when he retires.
Liverpool are also prepared to build in a performance-related bonus, but they do not feel the deal should be any longer than two years. But this new deal is likely to put the owners and the club captain in dispute, with Gerrard wanting close to his current salary as part of any new contract offer.
This news will also concern Reds fans who feel the 34-year old should be given a new deal with the same pay, due to his many years of service for the team. But club officials don’t look likely to give in any time soon, with the owners looking to cut down on his wages, so that the money can be spread elsewhere and used to bring in more world class players.
By Charlie Gregory
Follow me on Twitter – @CharlieGreg15
