Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is to stay at Anfield after signing a contract extension with the English Premier League club. Local hero Gerrard, 31, has been a one-club man throughout his career and the England midfielder told liverpoolfc.tv on Thursday: "I'm very happy. It's a very proud day for myself and my family."
The deal, the terms of which have not been made public, was announced less than a day after Gerrard scored the only goal in the Reds' League Cup semi-final first-leg win at Manchester City. "It comes on the back of a fantastic team performance last night when we got the result we were looking for," Gerrard added. "The contract extension coming the day after has been the icing on the cake so it has been a perfect 24 hours."
His latest goal means Gerrard has scored in two of his three appearances since the new year as he looks to put a difficult 2011, when he was sidelined with groin and ankle problems, behind him. "This is the club I love and is the club I have supported since I was a young boy," Gerrard said. "I am living the dream as the captain of one of the biggest clubs in the world. "I love coming to work every day and the experiences I have had since I was eight years of age and first signed for the club, I wouldn't change them for the world. "To extend that and to hopefully have some more good times in a red shirt is what I want."His latest deal means Gerrard is set to finish his playing career at Liverpool, having joined the Merseysiders as a schoolboy.
But the Reds are already planning for the time when he does retire, having offered him an ambassadorial role similar to the one occupied by Kenny Dalglish before he was recalled for his second spell as Liverpool manager. A delighted Dalglish said: "For us, for Steven and for everybody connected with the football club, it's fantastic news. "We're delighted for him and are looking forward to him getting back to full fitness and working hard for us and with us.""He's been a fantastic servant to the football club."