Gerrard can play until he's 37, says Rodgers as Liverpool prepare new deal for captain

By Timothy Abraham

PUBLISHED: 12:49 EST, 5 April 2013 | UPDATED: 12:49 EST, 5 April 2013

Steven Gerrard could be in line for a bumper new five-year contract at Liverpool after manager Brendan Rodgers suggested his captain can play at the top until he is 37.

The Liverpool and England midfielder's current deal expires at the end of the 2013-14 season and he is set to open negotiations on a new deal at Anfield in the near future.

And Rodgers admitted Gerrard, who currently earns around £140,000 a week at Liverpool, has the ability to perform in the Premier League for years to come.

Leader: Steven Gerrard is in line for a new deal to see out his playing days at Liverpool

Leader: Steven Gerrard is in line for a new deal to see out his playing days at Liverpool

Decisive: Gerrard scored the winning penalty at Villa Park on Sunday in a 2-1 win

Decisive: Gerrard scored the winning penalty at Villa Park on Sunday in a 2-1 win

'I, as a manager, want to make sure he stays here because he’s very important for what I want to do,' said Rodgers.

'Can I still see him playing at the top level in five years’ time? Yes, why not. He’s a brilliant professional. Look at the likes of Javier Zanetti at Inter Milan, and (Andrea) Pirlo, these guys who are still talked about as top European players.

'Steven currently is that at the moment, and I can see him being that for the next number of years. As I’ve said, he’s had a fantastic season this season up until now and he and wants to finish it strongly.'

Rodgers also claimed that Gerrard has never been fitter in his Liverpool career.

'There’s no doubt, if there’s a message to take, he’s 32 years of age and super fit at the moment,' said Rogders. 'He’s played every minute of every game. As a captain he’s been brilliant this year. I still think there are a good few years left in him yet.

'We’ve worked very hard on his individual plan to make him as fit as he possibly can be, and the rest is him really, his responsibility on the field, how he manages himself off the field. He’s been first class.

'So he’s 32 - 33 in May - and I still see another three to five years left in him yet as long as everything holds up with his body, which this year has been nigh-on perfect.

'His priority is always Liverpool, which is real humbleness from the guy. He is more worried about the football club than himself.'

Ever present: Brendan Rodgers believes Gerrard can play at the top until he is 37

Ever present: Brendan Rodgers believes Gerrard can play at the top until he is 37

Getting ready: Liverpool trained at Melwood on Friday ahead of their match against West Ham on Sunday

Getting ready: Liverpool trained at Melwood on Friday ahead of their match against West Ham on Sunday

The Liverpool boss also insisted he has put the prospect of European qualification to the back of his mind ahead of the run-in and he urged his players to finish the season as strongly as they can, starting with Sunday’s clash with West Ham.

Rodgers added: 'I am not even thinking about it. We just need to win the next game. We’ve won six out of our last seven in all competitions. Hopefully we showed the Southampton performance was a blip.

'We’ve come back and showed great determination and will last week, as well as quality, to beat Aston Villa, and we want to continue with that.'

On your head: Luis Suarez took part in Liverpool's training session on Friday

On your head: Luis Suarez took part in Liverpool's training session on Friday

Quiet word: Rodgers talks to Lucas during training

Quiet word: Rodgers talks to Lucas during training

Advice: Rodgers with Glen Johnson at Melwood

Advice: Rodgers with Glen Johnson at Melwood

He added: 'West Ham will be a difficult game for us. They’re a tough team to play against, they’ve some very good players, so we’ll need to be at the top of our game, physically, mentally, tactically, to get something from it.

'But how the players have been in training, how they’ve been for the last few months, gives us great hope we can finish strong.'

 

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He's finished now if he is still playing for Liverpool when he's 37 it could be in the Championship.

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Fortunately Mr Rodgers you wont be there to see it Taxi for Rodgers Ha ha ha ha

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5 years? He'l bite your arm off for that. orry but I4sun is spot on - If Liverpool are happy where they are then he can play till he's 40

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Well he will be so slow by then he'll take root .....!

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His vision and range of passing makes up for the lack of mobility as age moves on. We are already seeing a less mobile Gerrard and it works.

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Brenton plays the Liverpool fans like a fiddle. Tells them what they want to hear and they lap it up.

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I'm a united fan and detest Liverpool a lot. But I hate people saying bad things about Gerard. He is world class and the only Liverpool player I won't have a bad word said against

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He could play until he's 107, and he still won't have won the league. - RWB, Manchester, United Kingdom, 5/4/2013 20:28 He could have retired at 21 and achieved a lot more then you would or ever will in your life. Pillock - Razza, liverpool, United Kingdom, 6/4/2013 9:13 BOOM!

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Rodgers will eventually be found out. It seems pretty clear the guy has the gift of the gab but is lacking in substance. Back to the drawing board for Liverpool methinks.

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Brendan: i like the way you are turning lfc around, but keeping mr. Stevie only me For Next 5 Years is not a great Idea. Mr. Hollywood Style Passes Does Not Fit in Your possession game plan. Dont tell me lfc dont have Captain B! WHAT IF SG IS INJURED AS IN THE PAST?

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