Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard had pleaded with the club’s hierarchy to tie down Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling on long-term contracts at Anfield.

Gerrard will depart the club at the end of the season but he insists the Reds have got to act sooner rather than later in the interests of maintaining the stability needed to challenge for major honours.

“I see Henderson with a year left, Sterling – it’s in the paper too much and there is no smoke without fire. For me the message to the club is to get these done sharpish,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.

The Liverpool skipper will lead his team into Merseyside derby battle for the final time against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Everton secured a point when the sides met at Anfield earlier in the season courtesy of Phil Jagielka’s stoppage-time leveller, however the Toffees have won just one of their last seven Premier League home games against Liverpool.

Liverpool are 2.26 to win with Everton 3.13 and the draw 3.25.

Recalling his own contract situation when he was a youngster at the club, Gerrard warned the club not to leave any room for uncertainty.

“When I was coming through at Liverpool, every time you got near a couple of years left, your contract would be renewed. There would be no worrying or panic,” he added.

The Reds have been on a resurgent recent run and received another boost when coming from behind to knock Bolton out in their midweek FA Cup replay.