Gerrard’s future proves unwelcome distraction to Reds

It is probably Liverpool’s poor form that has fast-tracked any discussion of Steven Gerrard’s future to Priority One all of a sudden.

If the team were playing the same thrilling football as last season, nobody would be mentioning it. Even in the midst of this calamitous drop in quality only his worst enemy can pretend that Gerrard is the team’s biggest concern.

And he is still only 34: he’s not exactly H Rider Haggard’s ‘She Who Must Be Obeyed’ though it often feels that way. However, if the subject of a new or extended contract is going to be bandied about every few weeks as and when it suits him, it’s practically crying out for the matter to be brought to a swift, possibly even brutal, conclusion.