LIVERPOOL: Veteran Liverpool Steven Gerrard skipper has extended his contract for a further year beyond the end of this coming season.

This appears to confirm that the 33-year-old will follow the example of recently-retired Jamie Carragher and complete a one-club career at Anfield.

He said: “I think everyone knows what it means to me. 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 for the next two years.”

Gerrard started the first 36 of Liverpool’s’ Premier League games last season before missing the final two after bringing forward a shoulder operation.

Top scorer

He made his Liverpool debut on November 29, 1998, in the Premier League against Blackburn. He succeeded Sami Hyypia as club captain in 2003, was Liverpool’s top scorer in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2008-09, and has scored 159 goals in 630 senior appearances for the club.

His honours include one Champions League win, one UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields and two Super Cups.

Club ceo Ian Ayre said: “It’s fantastic for everyone – the club, Steven and the fans. He is – and always has been – such a big part of Liverpool Football Club. Particularly in this day and age, it’s rather unique to find a local player who has given his whole career to his club.

“We’ve said what we’ll do in two years’ time is review it again and see how happy Steven is. We seem to always be happy with him, so hopefully we’ll just continue in that vein.”

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