Steven Gerrard Must Make Club v Country Decision Following World Cup, Says Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Steven Gerrard will have a big decision to make over his international future following the World Cup.

The Reds skipper will captain England in Brazil this summer having enjoyed an excellent season with his club where his displays in midfield saw him nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award and secure a place in the Premier League Team of the Year.

But with Liverpool set to compete in the Champions League for the first time in four years next season, Rodgers admits that Gerrard, who will turn 34 at the end of the month, may have a difficult decision to make after the World Cup if he wants to prolong his playing career at Anfield.

"He has been a brilliant captain for me, a great leader, a brilliant man. He'll arrive at the Champions League next season as one of the playmakers of the tournament," Rodgers told the Mirror following Liverpool's 4-0 friendly win over Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium.

"His condition is terrific. He's in everyday like clockwork, he eats the right foods, body weight right on the money.

"Next season, there will be a big demand. If he comes and asks that, I'll give an opinion on it (but) I think it is a decision has to make.

"He has a very clear vision of the game, and what he wants to do for Liverpool. He loves playing for England. He'll go and concentrate on England and we'll see what happens after that."

Gerrard has previously pondered stepping away from international football, indicating last year that he will continue to represent the Three Lions should his appetite remain as strong as it has been since making his international bow 14 years ago.

Liverpool face a minimum of six extra games – three of those across the continent - next season in the Champions League group stages before the end of the year which will likely play a key role in Gerrard's decision.

Should the Liverpool skipper resist the temptation to step down from international duty his work load will be grow significantly with England's 2016 European Championship qualifying campaign set to start in September.

Roy Hodgson's get their campaign underway away to Switzerland in September ahead of games against San Marino and Estonia in October before their final international of the year against Slovenia a month later.