Liverpool Transfer News: Steven Gerrard to End Career at Anfield

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pledged his long-term future to the club after he signed an extension to his current Reds contract.

Gerrard, 31, will see out the rest of his career on Merseyside before taking an ambassadorial role with the club, it was announced Thursday.

The Liverpool midfielder, who scored the winner in Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City, said he was "flattered" by the club's offer to stay on after he retires.

"I'm very happy," Gerrard told the official Liverpool Web site. "It's a very proud day for myself and my family.

"It comes on the back of a fantastic [Liverpool] performance last night when we got the result we were looking for. Hopefully we can finish the job off in two weeks' time and take all of our magnificent fans down to Wembley for a day out.

"This is the club I love and is the club I have supported since I was a young boy. 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."

And Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish backed his captain's claims, saying it was "fantastic news" for everyone at the club.

"Over the past couple of years he's had a couple of disappointing spells where he's picked up injuries through no fault of anybody. He picked up a couple of infections which were completely unrelated. 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 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."

Gerrard will become an ambassador for Liverpool when he hangs up his boots, but the midfielder cautioned he had no plans to retire in the near future.

"It's really flattering for me that the club have offered me the chance to stay when I eventually hang my boots up," he added. "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."

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