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Gerrard has a job for life! Kop idol to be Liverpool's Sir Bobby Charlton
By DOMINIC KING and IAN LADYMAN
Last updated at 1:18 AM on 13th January 2012
Steven Gerrard has signed a new Liverpool contract that offers him a job for life. The Anfield captain's deal runs through to the summer of 2014 and includes the promise of a Sir Bobby Charlton-style ambassadorial role once he stops playing.
The 31-year-old, who was involved in a tunnel spat with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini after scoring the winner in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, said: 'It's really flattering that the club have offered me the chance to stay when I eventually hang my boots up.
'Hopefully that will be in many years to come because I want to play for as long as I can. I'll know myself when it's time to hang my boots up and then hopefully I can stay involved with the club and set the right example for youngsters coming through.'
Gerrard has made 566 appearances since making his Liverpool debut against Blackburn in November 1998 and there appears no question his passion for the club continues to burn bright, as his angry exchange with Mancini shows. Sportsmail understands the England midfielder interrupted a radio interview the City manager was conducting in the Etihad Stadium tunnel to take the Italian to task over comments he made about Glen Johnson's tackle on Joleon Lescott.
After a heated exchange, the situation was calmed by media staff from both clubs. In his post-match interview on Wednesday, Gerrard said: 'I'm surprised at Mancini. He had a go at Wayne Rooney for trying to get one of his players sent off at the weekend, and now he is trying to get one of our players into trouble - I don't think that's right.'
Since Gerrard rebuffed the advances of Chelsea in 2005, it has never been in doubt that he would finish his playing career at Anfield and manager Kenny Dalglish said it was 'fantastic news'.
Dalglish added: 'Over the past couple of years he's had a couple of disappointing spells where he's picked up injuries. He's come back fantastically well and is starting to get himself back to full fitness.
'For us, for Steven and for everybody connected with the football club it's fantastic news. He does everything. People only see what he does on the pitch. It's the same for Jamie Carragher as well, who is also influential among the younger players.
'Steven, being the club captain, is very impressive - if there's a problem to be sorted in the dressing room, which isn't very often, he'll deal with it and it doesn't come any further than the dressing room.
'So he stands up to be counted on and off the pitch. He's been a fantastic servant to the football club so let's hope he gets past his present contract as well.
'He's been here since he was a very young boy. There's not many people who go through their career representing just one club, especially people with quality like Steven. It's not as if he's been at a football club that's been without success either. If you're happy where you're playing, you're enjoying what you're doing and you enjoy the football club, I don't see any reason to move, and it's fantastic for us that he hasn't.'
Liverpool are favourites to reach the Carling Cup final and Gerrard has no intention of letting one of his remaining ambitions - captaining his boyhood team at Wembley - go unfulfilled.
'Signing the contract comes on the back of a fantastic team performance,' said Gerrard. 'Hopefully we can finish the job off in two weeks' time and take our magnificent fans down to Wembley for a day out.'
Gerrard has a job for life! Kop idol to be Liverpool's Sir Bobby Charlton
By DOMINIC KING and IAN LADYMAN
Last updated at 1:18 AM on 13th January 2012
Steven Gerrard has signed a new Liverpool contract that offers him a job for life. The Anfield captain's deal runs through to the summer of 2014 and includes the promise of a Sir Bobby Charlton-style ambassadorial role once he stops playing.
The 31-year-old, who was involved in a tunnel spat with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini after scoring the winner in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, said: 'It's really flattering that the club have offered me the chance to stay when I eventually hang my boots up.
'Hopefully that will be in many years to come because I want to play for as long as I can. I'll know myself when it's time to hang my boots up and then hopefully I can stay involved with the club and set the right example for youngsters coming through.'
Gerrard has made 566 appearances since making his Liverpool debut against Blackburn in November 1998 and there appears no question his passion for the club continues to burn bright, as his angry exchange with Mancini shows. Sportsmail understands the England midfielder interrupted a radio interview the City manager was conducting in the Etihad Stadium tunnel to take the Italian to task over comments he made about Glen Johnson's tackle on Joleon Lescott.
After a heated exchange, the situation was calmed by media staff from both clubs. In his post-match interview on Wednesday, Gerrard said: 'I'm surprised at Mancini. He had a go at Wayne Rooney for trying to get one of his players sent off at the weekend, and now he is trying to get one of our players into trouble - I don't think that's right.'
Since Gerrard rebuffed the advances of Chelsea in 2005, it has never been in doubt that he would finish his playing career at Anfield and manager Kenny Dalglish said it was 'fantastic news'.
Dalglish added: 'Over the past couple of years he's had a couple of disappointing spells where he's picked up injuries. He's come back fantastically well and is starting to get himself back to full fitness.
'For us, for Steven and for everybody connected with the football club it's fantastic news. He does everything. People only see what he does on the pitch. It's the same for Jamie Carragher as well, who is also influential among the younger players.
'Steven, being the club captain, is very impressive - if there's a problem to be sorted in the dressing room, which isn't very often, he'll deal with it and it doesn't come any further than the dressing room.
'So he stands up to be counted on and off the pitch. He's been a fantastic servant to the football club so let's hope he gets past his present contract as well.
'He's been here since he was a very young boy. There's not many people who go through their career representing just one club, especially people with quality like Steven. It's not as if he's been at a football club that's been without success either. If you're happy where you're playing, you're enjoying what you're doing and you enjoy the football club, I don't see any reason to move, and it's fantastic for us that he hasn't.'
Liverpool are favourites to reach the Carling Cup final and Gerrard has no intention of letting one of his remaining ambitions - captaining his boyhood team at Wembley - go unfulfilled.
'Signing the contract comes on the back of a fantastic team performance,' said Gerrard. 'Hopefully we can finish the job off in two weeks' time and take our magnificent fans down to Wembley for a day out.'
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