Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists any new deal for Steven Gerrard won't be based on "sentiment". Gerrard's current deal expires in June.
"It is certainly not sentimental," said Rodgers. "As the manager of this club, you can't afford to do that. I look at his contribution since I've been here. I came here two-and-a-half years ago when Steven was 32, had struggled with injury and hadn't played consistently over a number of years.
"I came in, sold him the idea and the philosophy of how we wanted to work and his importance to it. In that period, he has been outstanding. Maybe the team hasn't played so well this year - and maybe there is a focus on Steven - but he's been brilliant for me.
"Both on and off the field, as a leader and a captain, and I want to ensure that on this second curve we're on, in terms of the development of this group, he is very much a part of that. So there is certainly no sentiment involved in it."
Rodgers added: "He can continue at a high level for a couple more years."
