LIVERPOOL, England?- Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Steven Gerrard can take his time to consider a new contract on offer from the club.

The 34-year-old captain's current deal expires at the end of the season.

An extension offer has been made, but Gerrard is yet to accept it.

The former England captain joined Liverpool's academy when he was eight. Rodgers says the midfielder "deserves the utmost respect and time to consider" the contract offer.

Rodgers added that "it is a big move not just in his life, but in terms of committing where his next contract is going to be."

Gerrard has won the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool, but has never won the Premier League since making his first team debut in 1998.