Steven Gerrard to leave Liverpool: Will it be the return of the odd couple alongside Frank Lampard in New York next season?

The pair never clicked in the middle for England

Steven Gerrard (left) and Frank Lampard pictured in 2012 (GETTY IMAGES)

If the rumours are correct next season could see the return of the partnership that posed many an England manager a puzzle they simply could not solve - the Steven Gerrard-Frank Lampard midfield conundrum.

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Gerrard announced today that he will be leaving Liverpool in the summer when his contract expires, ending his 26-year association with his boyhood club.

Early reports suggest that it will be a move to an MLS franchise next for the former England captain, and that could mean playing alongside Lampard at New York City FC.

Lampard has excelled on his loan deal with Manchester City this season, so much so it has been extended until the end of the season.

New York City are owned jointly by Manchester City and baseball giants the New York Yankees.

Sven Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren and Fabio Capello all tried and failed to incorporate both midfielders into their teams when taking charge of the national team, putting one as the holding midfielder, one as the attacker, or even one of them on the wing.

Speaking before the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the then England manager Capello said:

"Frank and Steve are used to going forward always because they have one holding player [alongside them for their clubs]. If they will play together one will have to stay in different moments as a holding player.

"If Steve goes forward then Lampard stays and [in] different moments Steve has to stay.

"I know, I know, I know the history," Capello added when reminded of the problems their partnership posed for his predecessors. "Probably both were too young [when they were last played together]. They can't play together? I hope that they can play together. I have to decide."

By England's second game of the tournament, the goalless draw with Algeria, Gerrard was shunted out to the left.