Steven Gerrard will not replace Robbie Keane as LA Galaxy captain

Los Angeles Galaxy captain Robbie Keane will not be relinquishing the armband upon the summer arrival of Steven Gerrard from Liverpool, the Republic of Ireland international has confirmed.

Gerrard, 34, will replace Landon Donovan as one of three designated players within the Galaxy squad – individuals who are permitted to be paid outside Major League Soccer's strict salary cap.

However, despite being set to become the latest marque addition at the MLS Cup winners, Keane says Gerrard will not be taking over his role as skipper despite having led both Liverpool and England during his career.

"He is arriving as an addition, not as a replacement as captain," Keane said. "I have spoken to Steven and he is excited about the challenge of coming to LA Galaxy. He is going to be a great addition to our squad."

The final months of Gerrard's career at Liverpool are threatening to be overshadowed by injury with the former England international expected to miss his fifth game in the last six against Besiktas in the Europa League last 32 first leg at Anfield on 19 February.

Gerrard has been suffering from a hamstring problem he picked up in the win over Tottenham Hotspur but in his absence Liverpool have won four of their last five matches, surging into the Premier League top seven and the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Manager Brendan Rodgers – who is also without the suspended Lazar Markovic after the Serbian was banned for four matches for his sending off against FC Basel in the Champions League – says his skipper will continue to be monitored.

"He won't have a chance for tomorrow and we just need to assess on a daily basis where Steven is at," the Northern Irishman admitted.

"We accept the ban [for Markovic] and unfortunately he will have to serve that. He obviously won't be able to contribute for these coming games.

"But in the future he'll hopefully be able to play many more European games for the club."