Hansen said: "I believe Steven Gerrard will leave for Chelsea and when you look at the reasons I don't think you can blame him for going.
"The question he will have asked himself - the same one Rafael Benitez will also be considering - is how long until Liverpool are in a position to challenge for major trophies? Five years? Six? Seven?
"At Chelsea, Gerrard will have an immediate chance of the big trophies. Let's not forget the money, too, because that is impor tant. The reports say that Gerrard would double his wages from £60,000 a week to £120,000. When someone puts an offer like that in front of you, it's very difficult to dismiss out of hand.
"To see Gerrard start next season in a Liverpool shirt would be terrific, but the truth is that you have to give your best players two things: success and money.
"The harsh truth is that Chelsea have a lot more of both to offer Gerrard than Liverpool."