"I'm glad it's all done and it's happened at the right time before the season, so I can just focus on playing as well as I can." u00a0Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre described the news as "fanstastic".

"He is -- and always has been -- such a big part of Liverpool Football Club," said Ayre. u00a0"Particularly in this day and age, it's rather unique to find a local player who has given his whole career to his club.

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"We've said what we'll do in two years' time is review it again and see how happy Steven is. We seem to always be happy with him, so hopefully we'll just continue in that vein."

Gerrard, who counts a Champions League win among his numerous honours, flirted with a move away from Merseyside in 2005 when he requested a transfer and was set to join Chelsea only to retract it and stay put at Anfield.

The veteran midfielder put pen to paper on his latest contract at Liverpool's Melwood training ground on the day Arsenal were reported to have renewed their interest in Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

After a previous 30 million pounds (USD 45 million, 34.7-million-euro) bid was rejected the Gunners are believed to have returned to the negotiating table with an increased offer of 35 million pounds for a player Liverpool value at 40 million pounds .