Steven Gerrard: How Much Longer Can He Be a Force in the Liverpool Side?

Steven Gerrard is—as he always is—full of optimism for what the 2013/14 season may have in store for his Liverpool side, but what might lie ahead for himself as an individual may differ from that of previous seasons.

For well over a decade, football fans all over the globe have recognised Gerrard as the heartbeat of Liverpool, a box-to-box midfielder who dominates those who come up against him. When Gerrard performs, Liverpool perform.

Now 33—and despite playing every minute of his side's first 36 Barclays Premier League games last season and looking fitter than ever—Gerrard's role in Brendan Rodgers' side could well be about to change.

Deeper Role

At times during the 2012/13 campaign, we saw Rodgers deploy his skipper in a slightly deeper role than he had occupied under previous managers. The attacking instinct was still there, as a more than respectable return of 10 goals demonstrates, but Gerrard's trademark of arriving late in the opposition penalty area was—in the final months of the season—far less frequent.

As part of a midfield three, Gerrard adapted his game to be more disciplined, to sit alongside fellow midfielder Lucas and allow the likes of Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho to support the Reds' forward line.

Henderson and Coutinho flourished. The statistics support this with both men making up two of the top four places in the English Premier League Index minutes to goal involvement table.

Influencing Others

Gerrard's revised role coincided with the upturn in the form of Henderson as well as Coutinho's seamless transition from the slow pace of Italy's Serie A to the more physically-demanding Premier League. This could, of course, be coincidence—but probably not.

Getting forward and supporting your strikers is a lot easier when you have a player of Gerrard's calibre sitting deep and covering for you. In the latter stages of the season, it seemed Henderson took note. The shackles came off and he was a different player.

Following the retirement of his second-in-command Jamie Carragher, Gerrard—if he wasn't already—is now the senior figure in the Liverpool dressing room. As captain, it is his responsibility to ensure that when things are not going well the heads of those around him—especially the young lads—do not drop.

And Stevie G has proven in the past that he has what is required to lift those around him.

Olympiakos '04, Istanbul '05, Cardiff '06. Enough said!

The Beginning of the End?

When a player reaches his 30s and is moved from one role to another, it can sometimes signal that the clock may be ticking down on their time at that particular club.

Not for Gerrard. Not a chance.

John Barnes, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. All players of the highest calibre who revised their roles at their respective clubs, all players as gifted with their minds as they are with their feet, and Gerrard is no different.

Without doubt he has the ability to make this new holding role his own. He may not reach the heights of previous seasons in terms of goals and assists but in giving his team-mates the freedom to impact games, and by just being Steven Gerrard and by being on the pitch, he can be as influential as ever.

What sets him apart from mere mortals is his drive, passion and commitment to Liverpool Football Club.

Yes, they've had their ups and downs—what relationship hasn't?

He may have flirted with the prospect of a move to Chelsea in 2005 but when all is said and done, he stayed. He remained loyal to those who adored him, to those who grew with him and to those who loved him.

The Future

Having in the past couple of weeks signed a new deal that will see him remain at the club past his 35th birthday, it appears that Gerrard remains a big part of Rodgers' plans.

Technically he is still Liverpool's most gifted player; he's the complete package and if he keeps himself fit, Liverpool's head of performance Glen Driscoll sees no reason why the Reds' No. 8 can't "remain at the top his game for at least another four or five years" (via ESPN).

He is pivotal to what the owners and management are trying to achieve. He has been there, seen it and done it. He's experienced the highs and dealt with the lows but he's come through them stronger and more determined.

There is no reason why Gerrard cannot play at this level into his late 30s.

The likes of Henderson, Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen and others can only benefit from having an individual like Gerrard around during this stage of their young careers. An individual labelled by Jamie Carragher as Liverpool's greatest-ever player.

Who's to say he isn't?

Whether he remains a Liverpool player for four more years or 10 more years, or whether he one day goes on to manage the club, Gerrard's legacy is already set in stone and the impact he has on the club and the city may not be fully appreciated until the day comes when he no longer pulls on the famous red strip.

I have a feeling that day is some way off.