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Brendan Rodgers looking at new contract for 'superstar' Steven Gerrard

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has told the Liverpool Echo the club are continuing to look at a new contract for captain Steven Gerrard -- but that no decision on a deal has yet been made.

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Former England captain Gerrard, who has been with the Reds since he was nine years old, has only eight months to run on the contract extension he signed in 2013.

The 34-year-old retired from international football after the recent World Cup in Brazil in an attempt to prolong his club career.

Gerrard, though, has faced criticism over his performances this season, with an inconsistent Liverpool side winning only two of their opening six Premier League games.

Rodgers confirmed that there is no contract extension currently on offer for Gerrard, but remains open to the prospect.

He said: "It is something we are looking at as a club, and with Steven and how he feels. He is still in a real good physical condition. He's 34, he trains every day, he never needs a day's rest. He wants to work.

"This is a genuine superstar and this country hasn't produced many of them. He's been a genuine world-class player for so many years. How he still strikes a ball, there aren't many like him, both with his passing and his shooting.

"He will play and prepare himself right the way through to the very end. When that is we will see."

Rodgers is adamant that Gerrard's professionalism and drive remain as strong as ever, despite a difficult start to the campaign.

He said: "He is a joy to work with every single day, both as a football player and a human being. He's an incredible captain. Every football person will know the qualities and influence he still has.

"With him in our team he's been a real catalyst for everything the team has done in the last 18 months. Some of the criticism he's had shows the level he has been playing at consistently. The fact that teams deem that they need to put someone on him as a marker shows you the influence of his game.

"We've been working on areas to free up space for him. We did specific tactical sessions last week in order to free him up of that marker. That worked quite well at the weekend where he was able to arrive in areas and was able to have that influence."

Gerrard is set to lead Liverpool when they face Swiss champions Basel in a Champions League Group B match at St Jakob-Park on Wednesday.

The midfielder had a night to forget the last time he played there with his club in November 2002.

Gerrard was substituted at half-time -- and later criticised publicly by then-manager Gerard Houllier -- after a poor display in a Champions League group-stage game.

The Reds, three goals down at half-time, fought back to earn a 3-3 draw, but were still eliminated from the competition.

Rodgers said: "I've spoken to Steven about that night and I know he had an experience that really helped him in his career going forward.

"He got brought off at half time. He obviously had a fantastic relationship with Gerard Houllier. He was a young player who learned from very early on that you need to perform and prepare."