Reds skipper drops huge hint.
Liverpool and England skipper Steven Gerrard has hinted that he will retire from international football after this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
The one-club man, who celebrated his 34th birthday last month, is just five appearances away from breaking David Beckham’s record as England’s most capped outfield player.
Gerrard, who has represented the Three Lions 111 times at senior level, is only 14 caps behind overall record-holder Peter Shilton.
He will lead out his country in Manaus on Saturday night, as Roy Hodgson’s men begin their Brazil 2014 campaign with a game against Group D rivals Italy.
This will be Gerrard’s fourth World Cup and he is yet to get past the quarter-finals.
He admits this will be his last World Cup and he says that he is keen to end his international career on a high.
“For England, going out in the last-eight of tournaments is a frustration,” the Daily Star quote Gerrard as saying.
“The players that we have had over the years, we should have achieved more. But for me there is probably one final chance and that is in Brazil.
“So hopefully we can change it and finish my England career on a good note.”
With Liverpool having qualified for next season’s Champions League, Gerrard may want to give up international football in a bid to be a fit for as many club games as possible.
Gerrard has scored 21 senior England goals to date.