Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects the 33-year-old England midfielder to make a decision on his future with the Three Lions after this summer’s tournament in Brazil

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects Steven Gerrard to make a decision on his international future after this summer’s World Cup.

Gerrard, who turns 34 on May 30, could finish his England career after leading his nation at Brazil 2014.

But a strong Premier League campaign as a deep-lying midfielder may yet prolong Gerrard’s career at both club and international level.

And Rodgers believes discussions about Gerrard’s England future can wait until after the showpiece event in June and July.

“He’s coped really well with balancing both (club and international commitments). That will be a decision purely for him,” Rodgers said.

“He keeps himself fit – every player at Liverpool has an individual plan – but what will be will be after the World Cup.

“He goes there in great form, and I am sure he will perform really well. If he ever asked my advice, I will always be there to give my opinion.

“But there will be no decision made now, and we will see what happens after the World Cup.”

Rodgers insists it was always his intention to move Gerrard into a deeper role, and that it was only a question of timing the switch right.

“I sat with Steven when I first came in, two years ago. And I said that this was my vision for him prolonging his career. I felt he had the real quality to play in that role,” Rodgers added.

“After that, it was only about timing really. It was about when we put him in that position. And probably halfway through the season, once I had the players fit that could move and work around him, we changed him and from then he’s been outstanding.

“Steven’s a really intelligent player. He’s played really as a more attacking player all his life but he’s dropped back into that role.

“It’s still a playmaking position, and he’s started off a number of our attacks from there. And for him to finish the season like he did was incredible.

“He goes into the World Cup in great form, and he will be strong next year as well I am sure.”

Brendan Rodgers is willing to cash in on the Denmark international centre-back, with Napoli expected to make a move, but is looking for a fee in the region of €15 million

By Paul Clennam and Marco Giordano

Liverpool are ready to listen to offers for out-of-favour centre-back Daniel Agger, Goal understands.

The Merseysiders would be willing to sell the defender, who has played second fiddle to Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel for much of the 2013-14 campaign, for a fee in the region of €14 million.

Goal understands that Napoli are the front-runners to capture the 29-year-old, with boss Rafael Benitez well aware of his talents, having signed him for Liverpool back in 2006 during his time in charge at Anfield.

The Serie A club, who finished third in the table, have made initial enquiries to Agger’s agent, Per Steffensen, with the Denmark international having previously expressed his frustrations at his situation on Merseyside.

Agger went as far as saying that he is “no-one’s third choice” as he continued to be overlooked by manager Brendan Rodgers last season and he expressed particular annoyance at being left out of key fixtures against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

A lack of playing time has seen Agger’s stock plummet considerably, with the former Brondby star having previously been linked with a switch to Barcelona back in August – the Catalans having had a bid rejected by Liverpool, according to Steffensen.

But after making just 16 starts in the league and Rodgers preferring to partner Sakho and Skrtel together at the heart of the defence – with Kolo Toure also selected ahead of the Dane at times – it appears that Agger’s time at Anfield is up.

Having signed for Liverpool for a fee in the region of €7m back in 2006, the Reds are expecting to make a significant profit on the 29-year-old and have set an asking price of double that, with Napoli the clear favourites to complete a deal.

The veteran Dutchman was announced as David Moyes’ successor on Monday and his Reds counterpart sees him as an excellent fit for the Old Trafford outfit

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is excited by the prospect of testing himself against one of the game’s greats when Louis van Gaal takes charge of Manchester United next season.

The Dutchman was announced as David Moyes’s permanent successor on Monday and brings a wealth of trophy-winning experience with him.

Rodgers is an admirer of Van Gaal’s work but registered his disappointment that Moyes was not allowed more time to turn things around at Old Trafford.

“First of all, it was really sad that David Moyes didn’t get the opportunity,” the Liverpool boss told talkSPORT.

“Obviously, with David gone, they were looking to appoint someone with experience and certainly Van Gaal is someone I have studied and looked at for many years.

“He has had great success and he has a way and a vision of how he wants the game to be played. He works with young players. Certainly his profile fits a club of Manchester United’s history.

“As a young manager, I’m really looking forward to working against another great coach in the world game.”

Ryan Giggs ended his glorious playing career to take up a position as Van Gaal’s assistant and Rodgers paid tribute to the United legend, calling him “an absolute role model on and off the field”.

“He has been a phenomenal player,” the Northern Irishman enthused. “He’s the same age as me, Ryan, and to be playing at that level and to have that mentality to turn up for pre-season knowing you are going to have to work hard, to play the games he has played in … he’s an incredible human being, as well as football player.

“He is the most decorated player. I have huge admiration for him as a footballer. Now he is preparing himself to become a coach and manager and he will be hoping he can go on and have a similar impact.”