Michael Owen has accused Liverpool of forcing out Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard first joined the club at the age of nine and played for 17 years in the Liverpool first team before leaving for American club LA Galaxy in 2015.

But, according to Owen in his book 'Reboot - My Life, My Time', Liverpool wanted Gerrard to leave sooner.

He writes: "In Steven's case, I severely doubt whether he really wanted to go and play in the States in 2015. I've heard that the club wanted him out two years prior to when he actually left.

"I'm sure he would rather have wound his career down at Liverpool, playing increasingly fewer games until he reached a point where he could be integrated into the coaching staff.

"This only happened later in his case. But instead, because he'd become so symbolic and so powerful, I believe he was forced out in the short term. Steven was bigger than the club."