Brendan Rodgers has commended Steven Gerrard's commitment to keeping in peak physical condition as the captain excels as Liverpool's controller.

The 33-year-old is on the verge of hitting double figures in Premier League assists, with nine set-ups for teammates this season. He is also two goals away from recording 10, despite playing in a deeper role.

Rodgers pinned Gerrard's crafty performances from the holding midfield position down to his world-class qualities, but also credited his well-conserved physique.

Reflecting on the skipper's shift not just in role, but in mentality - he's had to curb his natural inclination to foray forward in order to stay deeper and dominate games, Rodgers said: "I look at Steven Gerrard when he went into that role, and not many players could do that.

"He's got wonderful attacking instincts, and is a world-class player. He'd gone back into that controlling role just before Lucas got injured, and he's shown he can dictate the tempo of the game from there.

"He's been brilliant."

On Gerrard's daily routine, which Rodgers is confident will extend the midfielder's capacity to continue at the highest level, the Liverpool boss remarked: "He's a wonderful professional.

"I look at the age that he's at, and he still has a great physical condition.

"He prepares himself so well. He's like clockwork. He's in here every morning early, gets his recovery drinks, has his breakfast, and refuels himself well for training.

"He's in with the medical and sports science team before I've even made sure he's correct. Every day he trains, he's at maximum."

Rodgers debunked suggestions that Gerrard's new responsibilities require less energy.

"The role he plays now is different physically. He's got to get up to people, be in their faces and still conduct the game from the back," he explained.

"Watching him this season, I can state he's still got a number of years left in him at the very highest level."

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