BR believes in Gerrard longevity

With one half of the side's Scouse heartbeat - Jamie Carragher - bringing his 16-year first-team career to an end in May the focus naturally turns to the other.

However, Rodgers insists Gerrard, two years younger than the 35-year-old Carragher, has plenty still to offer and this season has demonstrated that.

The England captain did not begin the campaign, Rodgers' first at Anfield, particularly well but in the last couple of months has rediscovered the kind of performances which have made him such an inspirational figure in a red shirt.

However, Rodgers pointed to his display in the midweek friendly win over Brazil as an indication there is plenty more to come from the midfielder.

"I think it was difficult for him at the start of the season: a new manager coming in, he'd not long returned from the European Championships which was obviously a disappointment for him and he was straight into the big games," said the Reds boss.

"But you have to give great credit to him because of how he has focused on his game and the areas that we talked about continually improving.

"His standard has always been there but maybe he has not got recognition for that because the team was not quite at the level.

"But he has been instrumental now for a number of months.

"He is adapting and modifying his game but he still has the qualities he has always had.

"He was outstanding (for England) the other night playing in that slightly deeper, controlling role which I think he can play as the years go on.

"He is able to dictate the rhythm of the game and some of the invention and creativity in his passing was brilliant and defensively he was very good.

"This is a guy who has everything in the locker: a wonderful professional, a great man off the field - a real inspiration for any young player - who leads his life the right way.

"You see him on the field, his range of passing, his touc h and his leadership qualities and his influence is getting stronger for me."

At the other end of the scale 22-year-old defender Martin Kelly, currently sidelined with a cruciate knee ligament injury, has just signed a new contract with the club.

"It means everything to me and my family. I've been at Liverpool since I was seven, so it's in my heart and I love the club," he told liverpoolfc.com.

"This shows the faith that the club have in me and that the hard work I have put in since I was young has paid off.

"Hopefully I'll put the injuries behind me. We have excellent medical staff here, who are going to work me and keep me on top of my injury. I'll be coming back even stronger."

Liverpool to assess Daniel Sturridge; West Brom without banned Goran Popov

The England international pulled out of the midweek friendly against Brazil with a thigh problem sustained in last weekend's draw at Manchester City.

Winger Raheem Sterling, who also withdrew from international duty, is fit while new signing Philippe Coutinho has had his first week of training after his move from Inter Milan but may require more time.

West Brom left-back Goran Popov will start a three-match suspension after being sent off for spitting at Tottenham defender Kyle Walker, ruling him out of Monday's clash at Anfield.

Baggies midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is in contention to return to the starting line-up for the first time since January 1 after returning to training this week following a knee problem.

Head coach Steve Clarke has to decide whether to recall striker Peter Odemwingie, who was left out against Spurs after the collapse of his transfer deadline day move to QPR.

Brendan Rodgers says Jamie Carragher still has a lot to offer Liverpool

The veteran defender announced on Thursday that he would retire at the end of the current campaign, ending a 16-year career at his only professional club.

The 35-year-old has been a first-team regular again since Rodgers took over at Anfield in the summer and the Liverpool boss says he will continue to draw on his vast experience.

"Jamie has been absolutely outstanding for me since I joined the club," he told the club's website.

"He has been a model professional on and off the pitch and has shown an unswerving commitment to our work.

"We still have a lot to play for as we look to finish as high up the Barclays Premier League as possible and continue our progression in the Europa League, a competition we'd like to win.

"He will have a significant role to play for us between now and May and I know his commitment and dedication on the pitch will remain as it has done his entire career at Liverpool.

"When the time is right we, as a team and a club, will give the man the tribute and recognition he deserves. I know the supporters will want to say thank you to someone who has served them with such distinction for so long."

Fabio Borini happy at Liverpool and not looking to move, says agent

Borini only moved to Anfield last summer, with Brendan Rodgers bringing in a player he worked with during a loan spell at Swansea City.

The Italian has not enjoyed the best of starts to life in the Premier League on Merseyside, with injuries having prevented him from making the desired impact.

It has been suggested that he could be tempted to head home at the end of the season, with Fiorentina prepared to offer him a route back to Serie A.

But Borini's representative has moved to rubbish such reports, with the 21-year-old fully focused on being a success in the Premier League and justifying the faith shown in him by Liverpool.

Marco De Marchi told firenzeviola.it: "I have never been contacted by Fiorentina and I have nothing to suggest they are interested.

"Fabio is happy to play for Liverpool, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, and is happy with his experience in the Premier League.

"A return to Italy? Fabio is 21 years old and has already changed teams five times. He is tied to Liverpool until 2017.

"If the reported interest from Fiorentina is true, then we should thank them as they are a club that has focused on the nurturing of young talent, but I haven't discussed this with Fabio.

"He is just back from an injury and his season starts now. His mind is wholly focused on Liverpool."

To find out more about live football on Sky Sports, Click here

Liverpool made approach for Dinamo Moscow winger Balazs Dzsudzsak

The Hungarian winger revealed on Tuesday that he had been the subject of interest from England.

He claimed that the opportunity to make a move to Anfield had been denied him by his current employers.

Dinamo were reluctant to discuss reported interest from Liverpool in January, with the club keen to keep their squad intact.

They have, however, now confirmed that a bid was made from the Premier League side.

Liverpool's offer was knocked back, though, as they were looking to tie up a short-term deal, rather than a permanent transfer.

"We received an offer from Liverpool for a loan deal but not for a permanent deal," said Dinamo's sporting director Dmitry Galyamin.

"Loaning is not an option for us so we finished the discussions immediately."

To find out more about live football on Sky Sports, Click here

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to retire at end of season

The 35-year-old arrived at Anfield as a trainee in 1994 and has made 723 appearances since making is Reds debut in January 1997.

Full story to follow...

More to follow.

English clubs name squads for latter stages of UEFA Europa League

The France defender, who was signed from Lille during the transfer window, misses out with Newcastle opting to name Moussa Sissoko, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Massadio Haidara as their three additions for the remainder of the competition.

Debuchy is eligible as former club Lille are no longer involved in Europe but each club is only allowed to make three changes and Alan Pardew has opted not to include him ahead of their clash with FC Metalist Kharkiv.

Tottenham have added new signing Lewis Holtby to their squad for the latter stages - starting with their round 32 game against Lyon - following his January arrival from Schalke.

Liverpool, who play Zenit St Petersburg, are unable to call upon new signing Philippe Coutinho, who arrived from Inter Milan, or fellow January signing Daniel Sturridge following his move from Chelsea.

Similarly Chelsea are unable to include former Newcastle striker Demba Ba, who joined Rafa Benitez's team during the tran sfer window from their Europa League rivals, for their clash with Sparta Prague.

But they have called up Yossi Benayoun and Nathan Ake, who captained Holland to last year's European under-17 Championship.

Elsewhere Brazilian Willian has been added to the Anzhi Makhachkala squad following his arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported 30million.