Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said that the main reason behind his decision to quit his boyhood club was the fact that he was told he would start fewer games for the club.
The veteran midfielder, who has started 17 of Liverpool's 20 league games this season, said that the key conversation was when the manager sat him down and said it was time to manage his games, the BBC reported.
He further said that it was a very difficult conversation to have, adding that it was the right thing and accepted it, the report added.
Gerrard, who is eyeing a move to the Major League Soccer (MLS) club next season, maintained that he would to leave the team with a top-four finish.
Gerrard led the club to the Champions League title in 2005, also winning the UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups, one Community Shield and two UEFA Super Cups.