Manchester United legend Gary Neville has urged Steven Gerrard and Liverpool not to rush into their contract plans.
Writing in his column for The Daily Telegraph, Neville said: "Steven Gerrard has entered the 'storm phase' of his career, when big decisions are unavoidable. I can empathise because I'm still in a fact-finding stage of life where he will eventually join me.
"A footballer's life is divided into two halves. From 35-40 the player almost becomes a 16-year-old again, with a blank space stretching out in front. Only now am I starting to feel clearer about how I want the second half of my own life to be. Liverpool's captain is entitled to think about his future with his main focus on what's best for him.
"This week Gerrard told Liverpool fans that he would speak to them when the time was right, which was a sensible stance. I can't quite understand where the fire is coming from on this issue. The idea that a 34-year-old can decide his future before Christmas seems odd to me. My take on it would be that both parties should sit back and relax. There are no flames."
