Garcia backs former team-mate Gerrard to shine in MLS

Gerrard has decided to make the move to LA Galaxy after a 17-year career at his boyhood club.

“I know it’s not an easy move for him to leave Liverpool. But … in life, we have to move on. Supporters want to support him, not only Liverpool. We expect him to win a trophy there,” Garcia said during a lively chat with reporters in Bangkok this week, hosted by LFC sponsors Standard Chartered Bank as part of Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Asia.

Asked if he had a message for Gerrard from Bangkok, Garcia said “I would tell him to enjoy [life on the] soccer field and playing in the States.”

Garcia, now a Liverpool FC ambassador, has joined other Anfield legends Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Dietmar Hamann to accompany the Liverpool squad on their pre-season tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia.

It was Garcia’s first trip to Thailand and he said he had been impressed with the passion here for Liverpool.

“The people here are fantastic, so kind and nice. [There are] so many Liverpool supporters here. I see them [welcoming us] at the hotel and in the streets. They treat us like kings. We are happy to be here,” the former midfielder said.

When asked about his encounter with the local culture, Garcia said, “I like Thai food very much”.

Asked if the new-look Liverpool squad, bolstered by new signings like James Milner from Manchester City, could target a top-two finish in the Premier League next season, the Spaniard said, “We have many young players and I don’t want to put pressure on them.”

However, he showed confidence in the Reds, saying that he thought the club had a strong team already and was probably working to bring in more players.

“I like the way the team is looking this year – so many young players hungry for games and doing [great] things on the field. That’s a very important thing.”

Garcia played a central role in the campaign that saw Liverpool crowned Champions League winners in 2005. Among his most memorable moments is the semi-final against Chelsea, which Liverpool won 1-0 courtesy of Garcia’s controversial third-minute goal. Dispute still lingers over whether the ball crossed the line. Garcia, however, has no doubts whatsoever. 

“Yes, it was a goal,” he happily affirmed.