Transfer news: Steven Gerrard still wanted by Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he wants to keep captain Steven Gerrard at the club.

Midfielder Gerrard, 34, whose existing deal at Anfield expires in June next year, had raised the possibility of leaving his home-town club with no new deal on the table.

However, speaking after Liverpool’s 1-0 Premier League defeat at Newcastle, Rodgers said: "It's quite straightforward.

"I had a meeting with Steven's representative explaining the situation. I very much want him to be a part of what we are doing here.

Steven is very much part of what I'm doing here. He's a unique player, a unique talent.

"He's been a brilliant captain for me. I relayed that to the ownership.

"I'm sure he will go away with that and hopefully his representative will organise a deal. Steven is very much part of what I'm doing here. He's a unique player, a unique talent."

Gerrard joined the Liverpool academy at the age of nine and has made almost 700 first-team appearances for the Reds.

He told the Daily Mail on Friday: "I can only worry about this season because I'm only contracted until May.

"As it stands at the moment, I'm here until the end of the season and want to make the most of it. I certainly won't be retiring this summer. I will play beyond this season.

"We will have to wait and see if that's at Liverpool or somewhere else. That's Liverpool's decision. If they don't come then I will see what's out there."