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London - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he would have signed a new contract had one been offered last summer.
The 34-year-old, who will move to the United States at the end of the season, told the Liverpool Echo that learning he would not be playing in every game had convinced him to leave.
"Yes, if a contract had been put in front of me in pre-season I would have signed it," Gerrard said.
"I'd just retired from England to concentrate all my efforts on Liverpool. I didn't want my club games to be tailored. My injury record had been fantastic for the past two and a half years, and I had a great season from a personal point of view last season.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers offered Gerrard a new contract in November, at the same time warning that he would not be guaranteed a starting spot in each match.
"It's all ifs, buts and hindsight now," Gerrard said.
"That period between the summer and the end of November gave me thinking time."
Gerrard, who has played for Liverpool throughout his career, said sitting on the bench was not for him.
"I've never wanted to be a squad player. If I was missing games now, I'd be sitting out even more next season. I knew it would get worse and worse as time went on," he said.
"It's got nothing to do with how results have been. ... It simply came down to the fact that the idea of becoming a squad player didn't excite me or motivate me. People can have their own opinion on that."
Gerrard admitted that he had not expected to be told his game time would be managed.
"It was tough but I understood. It's been very amicable. Everyone knows how much I rate Brendan. Our relationship is very good," he said.
"There hasn't been a cross word between us. Brendan has been fantastic for me. My only regret is that I didn't get to work with him at a younger age. There is no finger pointing from me towards the manager or anyone else at the club."
