Liverpool Transfer News: Why the Reds Need to Lock Up Steven Gerrard

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's contract is up in 16 months, but coach Brendan Rogers is insistent they lock him up.

As Rogers said to The Daily Mirror (UK):

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“He is vital to us, and I recognise that. I know he has 16 months left on his contract, but I would want him to go beyond that for this club and this team,” the manager explained.

“He has been an inspirational captain for us, he has been a huge figure in the development of this team. We are improving, we are growing, and he has influenced that.

“Absolutely I would want him to stay beyond his current contract and extend it - there is absolutely no question about that.”

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Gerrard is 32, and there is no word if contract negotiations have started. Gerrard is having another good season, scoring three goals and adding five assists in 18 games.

Gerrard is the key to the Reds, and letting him go would mean the loss of not only their best player but their leader. He is a clutch player, and losing him would mean the Reds will lose a bit of their soul.

If contract negotiations do get underway, it would be surprising to see Gerrard sign a short-term deal. By the end of this current contact, he will be 34. He can't be a Red forever, so a one- or two-year deal to keep him in the fold seems appropriate.

He still needs that Premier League trophy, and extending the contract will give him a fair chance of getting that. 

As long as Gerrard can still play at a high level, then he should remain a Red. At 32, there are no signs of slowing down, so Liverpool would be wise to lock him up.