• Premier League

Dalglish expects Gerrard to stay at Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish has suggested Steven Gerrard will be offered a new contract at Liverpool provided the midfielder wants to continue his playing career beyond the boundaries of his present commitment.

Gerrard, 31, has been a key cog in the Liverpool engine since breaking through as a teenager and is tied to the club until he turns 33.

The midfielder is set to make his first start in six months, having been sidelined with a groin problem, when Liverpool face rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

Dalglish feels Gerrard is as fit as he has ever been and expects the club to be guided by the player when discussions over new contracts begin.

"He's not on a Zimmer!'' Dalglish said of Gerrard. "He's probably fitter now than he was before. He's still going to be charging forward. Steven won't change.

"Steven has been fantastic for the football club and everybody would want him to go on for as long as he could because he has always been a fabulous asset for this club.

"Long may it continue. Whatever he wants to do we will go along with. Both him and Carra [Jamie Carragher] are fantastic examples - two people who everybody else can look up to.

"Anybody who is an asset to the football club I am sure we will look forward to keeping."

Dalglish has admitted director of football Damien Comolli will handle the discussions, but does not envisage age to be an issue when negotiations take place.

"Damien has never told me a figure they have in mind that when they get to 30 they only get a one-year contract," said Dalglish. "For me you judge a player on what they are doing on the pitch.

"I got a long contract when I was 33 which I couldn't believe. For me it doesn't matter about age.

"If you are 20 and not making a contribution you are not going to get a contract. If you are 30 and making a contribution you have more chance of getting one.

"I am not rigid. Everyone is different. People can last longer. If you look at Craig Bellamy he is 32."

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