The 33-year-old has signed a new two-year deal at Anfield and the Reds boss believes that tying down the “icon” will prove to be his most important piece of business this summer

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has spoken of his delight after Steven Gerrard committed his future to the club with a contract extension.

The captain signed a new two-year deal on Monday with a view to ending his career at Anfield, ahead of his 16th season in professional football with the club.

And Rodgers could not hide his delight after Gerrard had put pen to paper, stating that the England international is his most important signing this summer.

“I’m absolutely delighted, as you can imagine,” he told the club’s official website. “I’ve talked throughout pre-season about wanting to bring other players into the group, but this was one of – if not the – most important signings for us.

“He’s an icon here at the football club, a real iconic figure for players and supporters. Also, importantly, his contribution at this moment in time is very much valued by myself and the staff.

“I think he’s still got a good few years left yet. His level of performance last year was outstanding. He’s been a great support for me coming into such a club, a brilliant captain, he’s got great values and the leadership he provides is second to none.”

Rodgers also admitted he enjoys a strong working relationship with Gerrard, who featured in all but two of Liverpool’s Premier League games last season.

“I respect everything he’s done within the game prior to me coming in here,” Rodgers added. “I respect his loyalty and he respects that I am the manager of the football club and make football decisions.

“I always work closely with players. We have a good relationship and the door is always open for Steven as the club captain.

“He and I speak regularly and our relationship is very, very good, as it is for me with most of the players.”

The Reds have revealed an official bid from Arsene Wenger’s side was dismissed, with the Uruguayan yet to confirm to the club he is looking for an exit from Anfield

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has confirmed the club rejected an offer from Arsenal for Luis Suarez and remain determined to keep hold of the Uruguay international.

Goal exclusively revealed on July 10 that the Gunners were preparing to a £35 million bid for the 26-year-old after contacting the Anfield club regarding his availability.

Arsene Wenger recently refused to answer questions on Arsenal’s interest in Suarez but Ayre has now revealed that Liverpool have rejected a bid from the Gunners, with the striker yet to confirm his desire to leave.

“We had an offer which is fairly public from Arsenal,” Ayre told Bloomberg. “We said no to that offer, and as far as we’re concerned he turns up for training when he’s due back. And we’ll move forward on that basis.

“I’ve heard him say it would great to have an opportunity to play for Arsenal and likewise Real Madrid. But he certainly hasn’t called me up and said he wants to leave.

“We get offers for lots of our players at different times. Unless we get to a situation where that player absolutely doesn’t want to be here and we don’t want him to be here then that’s a different kettle of fish.

“Right now we’d love to see Luis put on a Liverpool shirt for this season and beyond and we hope that once he gets back things will settle down.”

Ayre also insisted that Liverpool are determined to keep hold of the former Ajax man, who scored 30 goals last season, and will be able to meet his ambitions of playing Champions League football in the future.

“This is an ambitious young player, he’s talked in the media about wanting to play in the Champions League and all these things,” Ayre added. “It’s our job to convince Luis that this is the right place to achieve those things.”

“I don’t think anyone will be against him at this point. He only needs to do what he did last season and everyone will feel he’s in the right place and he should carry on getting the support that he deserves and gets from Liverpool.

“We’d love to see Luis put on a Liverpool shirt for this season and beyond and we hope that once he gets back things will settle down.”

The Reds skipper is ecstatic to have agreed a new deal, which managing director Ian Ayre hopes will tie the talismanic midfielder to Anfield “until the end of his career”

Liverpool veteran Steven Gerrard has signed a contract extension with a view to ending his career at Anfield.

The Reds icon, 33 years old, is set to enter his 16th season in professional football with the Reds in 2013-14.

“I think everyone knows what it means to me,” Gerrard told the club’s official website. “I’ve been here that long and so, to extend, it’s a big day for me and I’m really happy for myself and my family. It’s great news.

“It lets me know the club thinks an awful lot of me and want me here.

“I’m glad it’s all done and it’s happened at the right time before the season, so I can just focus on playing as well as I can.”

Managing director Ian Ayre is delighted to have secured the Anfield hero’s future for what he hopes will be “until the end of his career”, adding: “It’s fantastic for everyone – the club, Steven and the fans.

“He is – and always has been – such a big part of Liverpool. Particularly in this day and age, it’s rather unique to find a local player who has given his whole career to his club.

“We’re pleased today to add an extension to his existing agreement and that keeps him here until the end of his career.

“We’ve said what we’ll do in two years’ time is review it again and see how happy Steven is. We seem to always be happy with him, so hopefully we’ll just continue in that vein.”