Rodgers faces balancing act over use of Gerrard

The midfielder’s existing deal runs out in the summer, by which time he will be 35, and while an offer of new terms on what is believed to be a one-year deal has been made the player is still mulling over his decision.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said Gerrard has earned the right to take his time over his next move and insists the pair have had conversations about what the future holds for him in the team.

The midfielder has featured in every Premier League match this season, but Saturday’s victory over Stoke, when he was left on the bench until the final 20 minutes, was the first time he had not played the full 90 minutes.

Gerrard was also left on the bench for Liverpool’s visit to Real Madrid in the Bernabeu last month and Rodgers admits that is something he will have to get used to if he is to remain at 
Anfield beyond this season.

“He’s at the stage of his career where it’s not so much the number of games he plays now, it’s about the level of the game – and that’s something I’ll always work with him and we’ll look at,” said the Reds manager.

“No matter how good a player has been, once they’re coming towards those final years of their career, then of course as a manager you’re having to taper that in where you think you can get the best out of the player.

“He’s still a wonderful player. I’m sitting here talking about a player that has still got world-class talent.

“But of course, when you get that little bit older and maybe physically it’s not quite the same, you have to manage that.

“It is managing the period of life he is in. That’s just purely the case of where we’re at.”

Gerrard could return to the starting line-up for tonight’s trip to bottom side Leicester as Liverpool look to maintain winning ways and keep back-to-back clean sheets in the league for the first time since March.

“I see the talent every day and I just need to manage that and put it into the games where I think it can be the most effective,” added Rodgers.

“He will continue to be a key player for me and I am hoping we can get a contract sorted.”