EPL: Steven Gerald to get a new deal
confirmed that Steven Gerrard will be handed
a contract extension at Anfield this summer.
The Liverpool skipper, who turns 34 later this
month, has 12 months left on his current deal
but the Anfield outfit are set to extend that by
another season.
Gerrard has had an outstanding campaign for
Rodgers and Liverpool, operating in a more
defensive role.
And Rodgers is under no illusions that the
England captain deserves to have a new deal.
"Steven will be one we look to get a contract
to in the summer," Rodgers told the Liverpool
Echo.
"With a year to go, it's something we will
address.
"I believe Steven will play beyond 2015. He is
a player who has really shown his qualities
this season.
"Come the summer, he will still only be 34.
Looking towards the future, I still think he's
going to be a key part of our squad.
"He has dropped into a new position and
played it seamlessly. His intelligence in the
game is second to none. He is improving all
the time.
"It's one where he has been brilliant for me as
a captain and as a player this season and I
would like that to continue.
"Most clubs, especially bigger clubs,
recognise now that once a player gets over a
certain age you have to look at a contract's
duration.
"But for me Steven still has so much to offer
and I really want him beside me here working
on the field."
Rodgers says Gerrard will get over the slip in
last week's clash with Chelsea, which enabled
Demba Ba to open the scoring in their 2-0 win
at Anfield - a result which put the destination
of the title back into the hands of Manchester
City.
"Everyone had empathy for Steven," Rodgers
said.
"The mistake obviously changed the course of
the game and he was just unfortunate.
"Steven was hurting like we all were. Steven's
quest is not for himself, it's more about the
team and doing it for the supporters.
"This is a player who has picked himself up
after disappointments many times over his
career here at Liverpool and he will do it
again. He has carried this club throughout his
career.
"He's a real good man and I have just
reinforced to Steven this week what an
influential player he is for our team.
"There is no blame attached to him because
he has been instrumental in where we are to
this day and he will continue to be in the
coming years.
"Steven has been brilliant on the training field
this week. He has narrowed his focus like the
team has and now we're looking to playing
Crystal Palace."
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