Skipper pens new deal

Steven Gerrard has given Brendan Rodgers a timely boost by signing a new two deal at the club that will take him past his 35th birthday.

Gerrard had one year remaining on his present deal and the club were keen to reward him with an extension after the skipper enjoyed a fine 2012-13 season.  Gerrard started 36 consecutive league games before being ruled out of the final two games of the season with a shoulder injury, but he's been working hard over the summer to ensure he's fit and ready for the start of the new season.

"I think everyone knows what it means to me,” Gerrard told the club's official website. “I've been here that long and so to extend, it's a big day for me and I'm really happy for myself and my family. It's great news.

"It lets me know the club thinks an awful lot of me and want me here. I'm glad it's all done and it's happened at the right time before the season, so I can just focus on playing as well as I can."