Brendan Rodgers believes Steven Gerrard has been a made a scapegoat for Liverpool's recent stumbles and says his desire to extend the 34-year-old's contract is not based on emotion.

“It’s certainly not sentimental,” said Rodgers after revealing he had opened talks with his captain’s agent about renewing a deal due to expire in June.

Liverpool’s manager also informed the Anfield board that retaining Gerrard ranks among his top priorities and that a potential player-coaching role has not been ruled out. So the midfielder seems unlikely to leave Merseyside next summer.

By then Gerrard will be 35 but Rodgers, whose side lost 1-0 at Newcastle on Saturday, does not doubt his capacity to continue as Liverpool’s midfield cornerstone. “Both on and off the field, as a leader and as a captain, I want to ensure that Steven is very much part of this second curve we’re on in terms of group development,” he said.

‘Absolutely brilliant’

“Maybe the team hasn’t played so well this season and maybe there’s a focus on Steven but he’s been absolutely brilliant for me.”

Rodgers is clearly irked by recent theories that the ageing Gerrard's reduced dynamism is part of Liverpool's current problems rather than part of the solution to their transition to life after Luis Suarez.

"When you see some of his passes and his influence in the changing room he's still an outstanding player," said a manager whose team currently trail the Premier League leaders, Chelsea, by 12 points and travel to Real Madrid on Champions League duty tomorrow seeking to avenge last month's 3-0 Anfield reverse against Carlo Ancelotti's side. "Steven's . . . a big player for us and he offers the perfect example for a lot of our players to learn from."

Although suggestions that Manuel Pellegrini is keen to transplant Gerrard to Manchester City appear overblown, the former England captain is unlikely to be short of offers in January when he could sign a pre-contract agreement elsewhere. Guardian Service