Liverpool hero Luis Garcia says it's crucial that Steven Gerrard continues with the club.

Garcia, now 36, has recently come out of retirement to ply his trade in India's inaugural Super League for Atletico de Kolkata.

'Stevie is the captain, the leader, he has to play," said Garcia to the Daily Mail.

"So many of the players look up to him because of what he does on the pitch and what the club means to him.

"Even though when I was there he was much younger, he still had a presence on the pitch, and he has not lost that.

"Lose him you lose the soul of the team. He will make the other players up their game, and that is what you need from your captain."