• Premier League

Mr Liverpool needs to stay, say Henderson and Lambert

ESPN staff
December 4, 2014
Nicol: I don't see Gerrard leaving Liverpool

Jordan Henderson and Rickie Lambert have both appealed to captain Steven Gerrard to sign a new contract and stay at Liverpool.

Vice-captain Henderson says Gerrard leaving Anfield is "unimaginable," while striker Lambert called him "Mr Liverpool."

Manager Brendan Rodgers revealed on Monday that the 34-year-old has been offered a deal to remain at Anfield beyond the end of this season. Gerrard, whose current contract expires next June, is thinking over his options before deciding whether to sign.

Henderson told the Liverpool Echo: "Every single member of the squad hope he stays for many years to come. Steven knows his own mind and what he wants to do. It is down to him, the club and his representatives to sort it out.

"He is huge for us and we need to keep him for as long as we can. Liverpool without Steven Gerrard is unimaginable. Nobody wants to lose him - I'm sure the club feel that way as well."

Lambert, a boyhood Liverpool fan who joined the club from Southampton in June, reiterated Henderson's plea.

The striker said: "I think I am speaking for everyone involved in Liverpool that we are desperate to keep Stevie.

"It's clear that it's his decision and the club's decision but I think he needs to stay at Liverpool for the rest of his life - that's just my opinion.

"Stevie is his own man but he is Mr Liverpool so it's up to the club to sort out, nothing to do with me."

Gerrard is likely to be used more sparingly if he does stay, as Rodgers has indicated that he wants to reduce his captain's workload in order to get the best out of him.

The midfielder has been a Liverpool first-team player since 1998 but is considering whether that arrangement would suit him.

Gerrard was to the bench for last Saturday's 1-0 win over Stoke, before being restored to the starting line-up for Tuesday's 3-1 win at Leicester, in which he scored.

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