• Premier League

Liverpool tempt Steven Gerrard with coaching role

Steven Gerrard was on the bench as Liverpool beat Stoke at Anfield on Saturday © Getty Images

Enlarge

Liverpool are ready to offer Steven Gerrard a coaching role after he retires as they fight to keep their captain beyond the end of the season.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Monday that Gerrard had been offered a deal to extend his 16-year stay at the club when his current contract expires next summer and, while the manager says his talisman still has plenty of playing time ahead of him, the club have floated the idea of a coaching role in order to prolong his stay at Anfield.

A move into coaching is understood to be a long-term aim of Gerrard's, but with the 34-year-old keen to play as much first-team football as possible, he could open negotiations with foreign clubs as early as January 1.

"When I see how he trains and works it is still about playing," Rodgers said. "Then maybe there is a role further down the line. To have someone like that beside you in a coaching capacity would be great.

"At this moment it is purely about football. He is 35 at the end of this season and still has a couple of years to play if he wants to. There are many things at this stage he needs to factor in, not just about football.

"I hope there is a solution with the club and the representatives. It is not about the money, it is about the time of his career in terms of playing.

"For me there will always be a position for Steven here as a player. If he ever went away from here then I'm sure there will be a time later on in his life where there will be a role for him back here.

"What he gives to this club is more than the football aspect. He never turns down anything he has to do for the club and he takes great pride in his role as captain. You've seen the great captains this club has had down the years who have led by example and he does that for all the players. He is a unique guy who is a proper legend of this football club."

Rodgers also hailed Gerrard as possibly "the best player to have ever played in the Premier League" and suggested he can still play at the highest level of the game for another two years.

However, Rodgers expects the player to take his time as he weighs up his options at the back end of his career, with reports linking the former England captain with a move to Major League Soccer in the US.

"I love working with Steven, he's arguably the best player who's ever played in the Premier League," Rodgers told reporters. "I've enjoyed every single minute of working with him here and I hope that continues, but I need to give him the opportunity to think as long as it takes in order to decide what he wants to do next.

"He's had 16 incredible years here and I believe he can continue to work at this level for the next couple of years.

"Everyone knows his history at this club. What a player he has been and still is. I see his talent every day and just need to manage that and think how it can be most effective. I love working with Steven Gerrard and I hope that continues."

Gerrard issued a statement last Sunday dismissing rumours that he had fallen out with Rodgers after being left on the bench for Saturday's home game against Stoke, with his manager insisting he wants him to remain at Anfield.

"I am categorical. I want him to be here, but there is thinking time needed," added Rodgers ahead of his side's Premier League game against Leicester on Tuesday.

"With Steven he is getting to that point of his career and he will speak about the adjustments he needs to make. It is not about me to speak much about that. In time he will make the decision for his career, and we need to respect that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd