Former Liverpool captain Paul Ince says it's crucial Steven Gerrard is kept on.

Ince was in the Liverpool team when Gerrard made his debut against Blackburn 16 years ago.

"For me, Stevie G should be the first name on the Liverpool teamsheet," he told the Mail on Sunday. "It is sad his contract situation has been allowed to fester. You shouldn't give anyone a contract out of sentiment but look at what he's still doing for the club. He's only 34 and the team struggled against Sunderland without him.

"I remember strolling around in a training game when this little rascal steamed into me. I was angry and asked what he was doing, and he told me to 'f***ng shut up!' I asked Jamie Redknapp who this upstart was. 'That's Stevie G', he replied. You could tell he wanted it so much and what he's done for Liverpool will never be repeated. Now he has to make a decision about his future. If he doesn't want to stay, to be in and out of the team, there will be no shame in him going to another club, but hopefully abroad! I think he's got lots to offer. When you've got his experience, even when you don't play well, you help your team-mates play better."