Liverpool Vice-Captain Jordan Henderson: 'Offer Steven Gerrard New Contract'

Liverpool have been urged to offer captain Steven Gerrard a new contract after the midfielder revealed he could be forced to leave Anfield if a deal can't be agreed.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful Gerrard will be handed an extension to ward off interest from Manchester City whose manager, Manuel Pellegrini, has refused to rule out a future move for the ex-England skipper.

Gerrard's deal at Liverpool expires at the end of the season and Henderson says the club shouldn't hesitate on offering a new deal to the one-club man.

"Stevie is a massive player for us," stated Henderson. "He is our captain, our leader and a great role model for a lot of younger lads.

"Hopefully he will be a very big player for us for many years to come."

Concern over Gerrard's long-term future has been followed by Rodgers admitting the 34 year old could be rested for Liverpool's Champions League trip to Real Madrid in order to ensure he is fit for the Premier League visit of Chelsea on Saturday 8 November.

Gerrard played for 90 minutes in the 1-0 loss to Newcastle United last weekend and though he has travelled to Madrid and trained ahead of the crunch group game at the Bernabeu, he is expected to begin on the bench.

Despite the enormity of the occasion, Henderson does not believe Liverpool are taking a gamble by leaving Gerrard out from the start against the European champions.

"I don't see it as a gamble," he added. "This week and these games against the likes of Real Madrid I see as a great opportunity for the squad - you put them out there and you put your trust in them to perform.

"In Steven's case, if he is playing on Saturday I have to look at what is the priority for him and us. If he played against Newcastle and didn't play [against Real] you could say that was the priority.

"Him and I have spoken about that. Three big games, Newcastle, Madrid and then Chelsea. I need to look at a number of players to look at the games we want them to play in."