Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, has revealed that he may retire when his contract expires in four years' time.

The 29-year-old midfield player has hinted previously that he is unlikely to play on into his mid-thirties and claimed yesterday that he could bring down the curtain on a glittering career in 2013.

Should he stay true to his word, it would mean that the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer would represent his last opportunity to win the tournament with England.

“I'll be 33 at the end of my contract and it's doubtful whether I'll carry on,” Gerrard said. “If I decide to stop, I'll be proud of the fact I've spent my entire career with the same club. And I don't want to think about wearing any other shirt in the future.”

The Premier League title remains the one leading domestic trophy to have eluded Gerrard and he suggested that Liverpool's success in the transfer market this summer would go a long way towards determining the club's chances of winning it, given the strength of Manchester United's playing resources.

“Manchester United have more depth in their squad than us,” he said. “We have to be realistic. But if we can add two or three quality players to what we already have, we'll be at their level. The summer recruitments will be crucial.”

As revealed by The Times yesterday, Glen Johnson, the Portsmouth and England right back, will be the first of those after Liverpool had an £18.5million bid accepted.

Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, will turn his attention to David Silva, the Valencia winger, once the deal for Johnson is concluded.