Liverpool are ready to hand skipper Steven Gerrard a new contract.

The Sunday Mirror says Kop boss Brendan Rodgers ­believes his inspirational skipper has done enough to earn himself an extended deal, by playing every minute of Liverpool's Premier League campaign.

Rodgers is now planning to speak with Gerrard - before asking the Red's American owners to sanction an agreement, which would take the Huyton-born midfielder beyond his 34th birthday.

Gerrard, 32, has just over 12 months left on his current deal and, because Liverpool's wages policy has become more bonuses-based, he may be asked to take a cut on his current £130,000-a-week salary.