STEVEN GERRARD is still Liverpool’s Captain Indispensable, says boss Brendan Rodgers.

And the Reds boss has urged the club’s American owners to make an exception to their youth policy and offer the 32-year-old a new long-term deal.

Gerrard will lead the Reds out at Arsenal tonight, maintaining his record of having played every minute of every Premier League match so far this season – his longest unbroken spell of league football since 2008.

But Rodgers believes his reshaped squad is not at a stage of their development where they could afford to be without a man who has been a club talisman for more than a decade.

“Steven Gerrard is a unique player. When he came on at Oldham it was like someone had dropped him from heaven into the game,” he declared.

“We went to a totally different level when he came on.

“Unfortunately at this stage I can’t say that without Steven Gerrard we would be all right because I don’t believe we would.

“This is a top, top player who gives so much quality but also enthusiasm.”

Gerrard has 16 months remaining on his present Anfield deal – and so far no moves have been made to sit down with the skipper and discuss a new contract.

But Rodgers believes it is only a matter of time before that happens.

“As yet I don’t believe anything has been done,” he added. “Steven and I have spoken a number of times.