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Cape Town - Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has reiterated his feelings
regarding Steven Gerrard's long-term contributions to the side,
admitting the captain is no longer able to play every game.
The former England international was amongst the starters for Tuesday's 3-1 win over Leicester City and restored their lead on 54 minutes after an own goal from Simon Mignolet cancelled out Adam Lallana's 26th-minute opener.
Jordan Henderson then wrapped up the result seven minutes from time, although the game was ultimately put beyond reach of the Foxes following Wes Morgan's sending off shortly after the hour mark at King Power Stadium.
Gerrard had, however, been rested during this past weekend's win over Stoke City, leading to reports he had fallen out with Rodgers, but the Merseyside boss, who has offered the skipper a new deal, insists that was only a measure to ensure the 34-year-old's fitness ahead of the hectic December period.
"He's a very important player for us and you saw that tonight," Rodgers is quoted as saying by Football411.
"You've seen the energy in his legs and his influence in the game - especially as it wore on. It was an outstanding performance from Steven and an excellent goal.
"He's not 24 anymore. For me, it's about mapping out the rest of the season for him and the amount of games to play. You have to do that with players at this stage of their career.
"It’s what you have to do as a manager - plan forwards. At this stage of his career it's about the level of the game he plays."
Rodgers joked: "He and I obviously speak every day but I think we had to speak yesterday to make sure we hadn't fallen out with each other."
The former England international was amongst the starters for Tuesday's 3-1 win over Leicester City and restored their lead on 54 minutes after an own goal from Simon Mignolet cancelled out Adam Lallana's 26th-minute opener.
Jordan Henderson then wrapped up the result seven minutes from time, although the game was ultimately put beyond reach of the Foxes following Wes Morgan's sending off shortly after the hour mark at King Power Stadium.
Gerrard had, however, been rested during this past weekend's win over Stoke City, leading to reports he had fallen out with Rodgers, but the Merseyside boss, who has offered the skipper a new deal, insists that was only a measure to ensure the 34-year-old's fitness ahead of the hectic December period.
"He's a very important player for us and you saw that tonight," Rodgers is quoted as saying by Football411.
"You've seen the energy in his legs and his influence in the game - especially as it wore on. It was an outstanding performance from Steven and an excellent goal.
"He's not 24 anymore. For me, it's about mapping out the rest of the season for him and the amount of games to play. You have to do that with players at this stage of their career.
"It’s what you have to do as a manager - plan forwards. At this stage of his career it's about the level of the game he plays."
Rodgers joked: "He and I obviously speak every day but I think we had to speak yesterday to make sure we hadn't fallen out with each other."
