Steve Gerrard remains central to Liverpool's rebuilding plans with a new contract pending

09 May 2013 13:51

Liverpool seems all set to extend the contract of captain and talisman Steven Gerrard. Whilst the time for Gerrard to move on to new pastures passed some years ago, the deal will still give comfort to the Anfield faithful. Gerrard remains the iconic player for the club and has been a steady and respected figure of stature in the last few turbulent years for Liverpool.

The deal seems a bit of a no-brainer, as both the player and club have openly expressed the wish to prolong Gerrard’s career, so it will probably be one of the less difficult deals to conclude for the club’s hierarchy. Their captain retains an influential presence on the pitch, but also, when wearing the England armband still maintains the sound demeanour required of a leader. For Brendan Rodgers especially, this will be welcome news as he continiues the rebuilding task at the club.

The Northern Irish manager has unsurprisingly made Gerrard a central figure as he seeks to bring back the glory years that were once the staple diet of Liverpool. Integrating new players into the traditions of the club is always easier to achieve with legendary figures there to guide the way. Manchester United have achieved this so ably with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, and at Liverpool, with Jamie Carragher due to hang up his boots at season’s end, Gerrard will be the remaining icon to pass on the creed.

The news must also be welcome to England manager Roy Hodgson. Having his captain playing regular type flight football for another couple of years or so, negates concerns about having to appoint a new captain, with all the inherent troubles and tribulations of recent years. Whilst Gerrard has apparently brought a period of stability – albeit without success on the field – around the captaincy, it allows perhaps more pressing matters to be addressed, without all of the bluster and strife that accompanies a captaincy anointment.

As mentioned above, however, it is perhaps the fans of the club that will take most pleasure when Gerrard seemingly inevitably puts pen to paper on the new deal. With their captain out there, they have a link to the glory years of European success, and the tragedies of the past. These are the very things that define the club, and whilst Gerrard is pulling on that famous red shirt, the traditional tenets of Liverpool are safe in his hands.

Source: DSG