Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told his players that they must begin to get used to life without captain Steven Gerrard.

The 34-year-old midfielder announced last week that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, with the MLS widely expected to be his next destination.

Rodgers says that it is time for other players to realise that the responsibility now lies with them, rather than Gerrard.

"It has to come from within. I felt here in my time even when Steven was on the bench the team are looking for him to come into the game," the Reds boss told ITV Sport.

"This is an opportunity for the players from within to really go and step forward because come the end of the season he won't be here.

"If we are not signing that profile of player it has to come from within. We have players here who are very keen and hungry to progress as a player. We have enough players in that changing room who will now step up and show that character which makes successful teams."

Gerrard has lifted two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League since making his Liverpool debut in 1998.