Steven Gerrard Admits He's Yet to Decide on New Liverpool Contract

Steven Gerrard has a new contract on the table, but for every day it goes unsigned speculation will continue over the Liverpool skipper's future. One thing is certain, the Reds want him to stay.

Continue for updates.

Thursday, Dec. 4

Gerrard Urged to Sign New Deal

Rickie Lambert has told Gerrard it would be "unthinkable" for the skipper to leave at the end of the season. Dave Kidd of the Daily Mirror provides the quotes:

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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 my opinion.

Stevie is his own man, but he is Mister Liverpool. I am enjoying playing with him, very much so, after years of watching him - and long may it continue.

"

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Gerrard Yet to Decide Reds Future

Gerrard gave little away after his match-winning performance at Leicester, but he did admit he is still mulling over Liverpool's contract offer, per James Nursey of the Daily Mirror:

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I will decide when I am ready. There is nothing to say on the contract at the moment.

"

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Retirement on Gerrard's Mind

Gerrard has a contract offer on the table, confirmed by Brendan Rodgers, but the Daily Star's David Woods claims the Liverpool skipper might be counting down the final days of his illustrious career:

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Starsport can reveal the Liverpool skipper is giving serious thought to calling it a day.

[...] The former England captain is understood to have serious concerns about his own fitness and form this season.

An immensely proud man, Gerrard does not want his brilliant career to fizzle out although publicly he has insisted he will not be retiring. 

"

Monday, Dec. 1

New Deal Tabled by Liverpool

Boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed, per Andy Hunter of the Guardian, that Gerrard has received a new contract offer from the club:

According to David Maddock of the Daily Mirror, Gerrard's representatives are currently examining the deal:

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A spokesman for the Anfield giants confirmed that a formal contract offer has now been made to the player, with the player’s agent currently looking closely at the terms.

Sources close to the player suggested on Sunday night that he is in no rush to sign a new deal, with a guarantee of a one-year rolling contract on the table.

Gerrard has always said he will wait and see how he feels as the season progresses before he commits himself to any new deal but the feeling from both him and Rodgers is that he can carry on for one or two more years, at least.

"

Sunday, Nov. 30

Gerrard Denies Media Reports on Instagram

Gerrard took to Instagram to "set the record straight."

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Gerrard Reportedly Unhappy with Rodgers

The Reds captain, alongside individuals such as Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling, "slogged their guts out last season" for the opportunity to play in such matches, only to be overlooked by a manager who prioritises results in the Premier League.

Liverpool have lost their last four matches—three in the domestic division and two since heading to the Bernabeu—as murmurs continue to question Rodgers' longevity in the job.

Ashton, who also said Mario Balotelli's attitude has "created tension within the dressing room," suggested the Northern Irish manager needs a quick improvement to satisfy the club's American owners.

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"John W Henry, Liverpool chairman Tom Werner and the influential director Michael Gordon are a ruthless bunch and are easily swayed by supporter feeling," noted Ashton.

He said the club did not spend £200 million on players and managers to hear they are in "transition," a word which is thrown around as a means of softening the blow after poor results.

Rodgers and his players have certainly lost their spark. Once again, during the defeat to Crystal Palace, Liverpool proved themselves to be easily bypassed and susceptible to conceding when the opposition passes the ball quickly.

Both the midfield and defence offered little resistance, while Sterling was unable to influence yet another fixture in which much of the attacking focus was funnelled down his side. He hasn't scored since Sept. 20, despite racking up 11 club games in that time, per WhoScored.com.

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Perhaps most worryingly, Gerrard's presence was also nonexistent. He failed to make a tackle or interception all game, completing just 79.4 percent of his passes, as recorded by WhoScored. His movement appeared slow, he was unable to quickly turn and offer his centre-backs support as Dwight Gayle, Yannick Bolasie and others launched fast-paced attacks, while none of his five shots hit the target.

Late on, Gerrard curled an excellent free-kick opportunity over the bar from close range. His non-reaction summed up Liverpool's entire showing and perhaps season. The team's incredible character from last year has disappeared, but it can't all be down to Luis Suarez's departure (Liverpool were capable without him in the past) and Daniel Sturridge's prolonged injury problems.

Dominic King of the Daily Mail wrote, "Liverpool's owners insist Brendan Rodgers' position is not even up for discussion," but it will be interesting to see if this changes across the coming weeks. Ben Smith of BBC Sport also believes Rodgers' job security isn't in question:

Football writer Duncan Castles summed up a difficult time for Rodgers on B/R Radio's Soccer Sunday show:

Rodgers has picked questionable teams this season. His decision to play Glen Johnson at left-back against Palace—a team who tormented him last season, so much so that he became angry with receiving criticism from supporters—made little sense. Adam Lallana was removed at Selhurst Park, and with him went Liverpool's creativity.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Balotelli's prolonged positioning in the team continues to raise question marks, but then again, this is representative of the Italian's entire career. He is extremely talented, someone who can score wonder goals with a second of space, but the lack of energy and commitment underlines what Liverpool have become this season.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

While it is commendable to remain faithful in the manager—he is behind Liverpool's raised expectations after all—the club certainly need to pick up their form soon. 

Rodgers is willing to live and die by his decisions—and is willing to "take full responsibility" for poor form, per BBC Sport—an attitude his players must replicate on the pitch.