Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has shot down Richard Keys' theory that he "plotted" to drive Steven Gerrard out of Anfield.
Gerrard departed the club in the summer of 2015 after 710 appearances and 186 goals, joining LA Galaxy. He'd retire two seasons later, before returning to Liverpool to manage the club's under-18s.
Rodgers would depart himself just months after Gerrard to be replaced by Jurgen Klopp, but former Sky presenter Keys believed the Northern Irishman's "plot" was to blame for Gerrard's exit.
But speaking on the Keys and Gray show for Bein Sports, Rodgers put the record straight.
He said: "As always, there are always stories. Steven was brilliant for me during my time there. Especially in the first couple of years.
"He was towards the latter stage of his career and he was first class.
"So despite what you said at the time, unfortunately it wasn't quite true.
"But listen, it's something you become used to in this game, there are so many stories and gossip, but it was interesting when I read that."
For his part, Keys apologised for his view.
"That is an opinion I held at the time," he said. "If he wasn't, he should have been the previous year and then he wouldn't have slipped over.
"But I did think we should bring it up and you deserved the right to answer."
